Maribyrnong City Council’s system for managing infringement notices is unfair and unaccountable, according to Shifrah Blustein, Manager of Strategic Projects and Law Reform at Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre (BMCLC).
Councils and other agencies with the power to issue fines are required by law to consider applications for internal review made by individuals who have been issued with infringement notices. Where an application for internal review is received, enforcement agencies are required to review the decision to issue the infringement.
In the experience of BMCLC’s clients, Maribyrnong City Council conducts its internal reviews in an unfair, arbitrary and unaccountable manner, leaving the entire community without a fair review process.
In addition, Maribyrnong Council’s practice of prosecuting infringement offences prevents individuals whose infringements were caused by severe mental health conditions, serious drug or alcohol addictions or homelessness from making applications to have their infringements revoked.
