Extract from ABC News
The thought of losing her driver's licence brings a sickening feeling to single mum Sonja Kennedy's stomach but it's a reality she came close to facing for a reason she could not believe.
Key points:
- SPER can suspend drivers' licences if they fail to pay fines
- A desexed dog costs $24 to register on the Sunshine Coast and the fine for failing to do so there is $348
- More than half of the 500 Queenslanders who had their licences suspended for not paying their dog registration and SPER fines were from the Sunshine Coast
Ms Kennedy is one of more than 2,800 Queenslanders who received a fine from the State Penalties Enforcement Register (SPER) in the past year for not paying their dog registration fees.
Almost 500 people across the state who failed to pay the registration and the ensuing the fine lost their driver's licences.
The Sunshine Coast woman said losing her licence would have had a devastating impact on her family.
"I wouldn't be able to go to work, my kids wouldn't be able to [go to] work or school and it's a lot of money in January right before school starts," Ms Kennedy said.
She was shocked to receive the SPER fine and had missed paying the $24 registration because the renewal was sent to an old address.
"Initially thought it was for my licence renewal, but it's not due until February, so then I thought it must have been a scam," Ms Kennedy said.
To keep her licence, she said she signed up to a payment plan to pay the $348 SPER fine because she could not afford to fight it in court.
"I'm a single mum trying to look after two kids and work at the same time," she said.
"I'm already struggling as it is, with cost of living with rent, food, electricity, water.
"We'll probably have to cut back on a few things — groceries, petrol. It's a lot."
One of hundreds
More than half of all Queenslanders who lost their licence after not paying their dog registration were referred to SPER by the Sunshine Coast Council.
"Debtors have multiple opportunities to pay their debt before SPER takes enforcement action, which can include suspending a debtor's driver licence," a SPER spokesperson said.
"Fines of this nature are issued by councils and if people want to dispute the fine, they should contact their local council directly."
Year | Queenslanders with a SPER debt for unpaid dog registration | Sunshine Coasters with a SPER debt for unpaid dog registration | Queenslanders whose driver's licences were suspended | Sunshine Coasters whose driver's licences were suspended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | 2,901 | 456 | 604 | 141 |
2020 | 2,443 | 469 | 475 | 155 |
2021 | 1,680 | Withheld | 166 | Withheld |
2022 | 2,865 | 868 | 482 | 278 |
More than 62,000 dogs and cats are registered on the Sunshine Coast.
The Sunshine Coast Regional Council said more than 2,700 infringements were issued for failing to renew an animal registration last year.
"Three separate reminders were sent to animal owners through SMS, email and post before being sent to SPER," the spokesperson said.
Ms Kennedy said she received no emails, texts or calls from the Sunshine Coast Council.
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