Simone and Harmony were able to reduce their court fines under the WDP Scheme by doing employment programs at The Wirrpanda Foundation.
People who have participated in the Work and Development Permit Scheme by undertaking work, training or treatment wiped off $733,000 in fines over that 12-month of operation.
There have been 238 permits completed and more than 100 sponsors at 230 locations across WA have signed up for the WDP Scheme since it began operating.
The Scheme was part of a law reform package passed in 2020 overhauling Western Australia’s fines enforcement regime.
It is being delivered by the Department of Justice in partnership with Legal Aid WA and the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia Ltd (ALSWA).
“Eligible people have taken the opportunity to not only wipe the slate clean on unpaid court fines but get a fresh start in their lives,” Department of Justice Director General Dr Adam Tomison said.
The legal agencies are responsible for engaging with potential or approved sponsors and making links with clients to access the scheme.
“What separates this from typical community service is the focus on improving long-term outcomes for clients beyond paying off a debt, although for some of our clients, that in itself is a huge reward for effort,” Director of Legal Aid WA, Dr Graham Hill, said.
“In the past where our clients felt overwhelmed, this scheme gives them a much more manageable solution and they can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Dr Hill said.
Any person eligible for the Scheme can reduce or clear the court fines owed by completing specified activities or treatment programs under the supervision of an approved sponsor.
These include unpaid work; medical or mental health treatment; educational, vocational or personal development courses; treatment for an alcohol or drug use problem; or mentoring (for under 25s).
Aside from experiencing financial hardship, people may be eligible if subjected or exposed to family violence, have a mental illness or disability, are homeless or experiencing alcohol and drug use problems.
“Aboriginal people have been disproportionately and adversely affected by the fines system in the past,” ALSWA CEO Adjunct Professor Dennis Eggington said.
“The WDP Scheme provides an alternative way for disadvantaged Aboriginal people in hardship to reduce or clear their court fine debt, while working with services aimed at providing help and support,” Professor Eggington said.
Approved sponsors support clients in making applications, supervising the approved activity and reporting on progress.
They can include not-for-profit groups, private companies, health practitioners, sole traders and government agencies.
“Sponsors are key to the success of the WDP scheme,” Dr Tomison said. “We encourage organisations to consider the benefits of participating.”
Further information about the scheme, refer to the Work and Development Permit Scheme.
Defence veterans can get help from RSLWA financial counsellor Nicky and pay off court fines in the process under the WDP Scheme.
