Over the past week, enforcement officers from the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) have been cracking down on people who refuse to pay their SPER debts in Mackay and the surrounding areas. SPER Enforcement Director Kim Easton revealed that around 13,000 individuals and businesses across the Mackay Whitsunday region collectively owed almost $30 million in unpaid fines and penalties.
Mr Easton encouraged anyone with outstanding debts to contact SPER before officers took enforcement action.
“Our officers are visiting debtors at their home or workplace and those people that refuse to pay their debts will face tough action,” he said.
“This includes having money taken from their wages or bank accounts through garnishment powers or having their cars clamped, seized and sold to meet their obligations.”
Mr Easton also advised that the best way to avoid enforcement action and extra fees was to pay fines on time, and the consequences of not doing so were serious. He revealed that regional enforcement activities were part of SPER's ongoing state-wide operations, which have already led to the seizure of luxury SUVs, hi-spec utes and motorbikes, trucks, boats, trailers, and jet skis from people refusing to pay their debts.
In light of this, anyone having trouble paying for whatever reason was urged to contact SPER on 1300 365 635 to discuss their payment options and avoid enforcement action. Mr Easton reminded people that SPER debts did not go away and would catch up with them if they did not act.
