astera

What a mess, I moved to QLD and then a month later they apparently had elections in Ice Station Zebra.

Only got a letter about this recently when the parents came to visit, turns out the fine ballooned due to court fee, penalty notice, etc. so it was $120 by the time I actually found out I've done anything wrong.

Now it turns out I might be flying out to SYD on election day (this time local QLD), and then then cruising out (1-way) a few days later. Any way to prevent another mess like this from happening again?

fish.01

Postal Vote: Information for electors - Electoral Commission Queensland

Pollyana

Put in for a postal vote every time as soon as they announce an election - we all have to at work as we don't know if we will end up on shift on election day, and if we are, then we have no chance to vote 'live' cos the polling stations aren't open long enough.

Beoz

Write to them and tell them you no longer live in NSW and haven't done since X.

This happened to me. I kept getting fines at my old address. I wasn't living in the country. Took a few letters but eventually the problem went away.

Swerv-o

I got fined once as well - I just sent them a copy of my travel itinerary at the time, plainly indicating that I wasn't present.

I imagine you will be fine if you send them details of stuff like utility connections at your new place in QLD etc.


S

denzil73

But the governments do like bandying about that it's our responsibility to inform absolutely everyone when we move anywhere. if it's during the moving period then fair enough but just like car rego you have to have registered within 3 months of moving.

I'm sure they'll be reasonable but also depends how well the revenue collecting coffers are doing

Beoz

No ...... you can pay them or not. Your choice. What's the NSW govt going to do? Chase you to QLD or UK ....... yeah right?

denzil73

Um, what's the point of a fine if you can decide not to pay it? They forward it to the federal police service and they massively hike the amount of the fine up and they will get the money from you.

Go on, ask me why I know this?

commonwealth

give them a ring and kindly explain your situation? it's easier that way. just be nice and friendly, and the person on the other side of the phone could let it go.

DC10

I worked for a council in Victoria which used to send a couple of fines and reminder notices to non-voters and then gave up as it cost far more to take people to court than they could recover in fines - true story! Not sure states or commonwealth govt would take that approach.

Swerv-o

Ultimately, he's moved to another state and wasn't required to vote in the election. The OP needs to document this and send it to the Electoral Commission and they should then write off the 'debt'.

There should be no need for the fine to be pursued.


S

Beoz

Sounds like a fun game. Just telling you how it works for someone who received fines while not living in the jurisdiction.

astera

Now I'm having to vote in QLD, and it seems I have been put on the electoral roll simply for handing in my NSW driving licence for a QLD one.

If I go back to NSW and switch to their licence, will that automatically remove me from the QLD roll and put me on the NSW one again? I do I still need to write to the QLD one to be scratched off the list?

moneypenny20

Are you moving in the next couple of weeks?

astera

This week, though I have already voted before Saturday's "big day" as they were doing some sort of pre-voting.

So just wondering what I need to do in the future in terms of de-registering here as I'd like to switch to a NSW licence on Monday. Or maybe it's automatic when I hand in my QLD licence for a NSW one?