Got fined for not voting... in NSW
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Singapore to Surfers Paradise to... Tenerife... to Gran Canaria!
Posts: 1,627
Got fined for not voting... in NSW
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?
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?
#3
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,814
Re: Got fined for not voting... in NSW
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?
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?
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: Got fined for not voting... in NSW
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.
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.
#5
Re: Got fined for not voting... in NSW
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
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 339
Re: Got fined for not voting... in NSW
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
I'm sure they'll be reasonable but also depends how well the revenue collecting coffers are doing
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: Got fined for not voting... in NSW
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
I'm sure they'll be reasonable but also depends how well the revenue collecting coffers are doing
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 339
Re: Got fined for not voting... in NSW
Go on, ask me why I know this?
#9
Re: Got fined for not voting... in NSW
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.
#10
Re: Got fined for not voting... in NSW
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.
#11
Re: Got fined for not voting... in NSW
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
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: Got fined for not voting... in NSW
Sounds like a fun game. Just telling you how it works for someone who received fines while not living in the jurisdiction.
#13
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Thread Starter
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Location: Singapore to Surfers Paradise to... Tenerife... to Gran Canaria!
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Re: Got fined for not voting... in NSW
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?
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?
#14
Re: Got fined for not voting... in NSW
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?
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?
#15
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Thread Starter
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Location: Singapore to Surfers Paradise to... Tenerife... to Gran Canaria!
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Re: Got fined for not voting... in NSW
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?
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?