The Honourable Cameron Dick
06/01/2011
Certificate fees waived for flood victims
The Bligh Government has moved to ease some of the financial pressures on flood victims by waiving fees to replace important documents and deferring unpaid fines.
Attorney-General Cameron Dick said the State Government's main priority at the moment was to make flood recovery as easy as possible for affected Queenslanders.
"The lives of many have been turned upside down as a result of some of the worst floods on record, and it's important we help in any way we can," Mr Dick said.
"While the loss of a birth, death, marriage or change-of-name certificate is minor compared to personal injury or the loss of property, I hope that waiving the usual replacement fees will make it easier for people recovering from the floods.
"These are important documents, particularly for parents whose children are starting school in a few weeks' time.
"We are also allowing flood victims who have outstanding fines with the State Penalties Enforcement Registry to have the enforcement action suspended.
"These small but, hopefully, helpful gestures to flood-affected communities are part of our determination to help victims get their lives back in some order after a such traumatic event, and help people get back on their feet as soon as possible."
Mr Dick said the offers applied to residents in declared disaster zones.
Such areas currently include the Banana Shire Council and the Southern Downs, Western Downs, Central Highlands, Mackay, Bundaberg, Barcaldine, Lockyer Valley and North Burnett regional council areas
"People who need new certificates simply need to go a courthouse or a Queensland Government Agent Program office and let the staff know that they want to replace lost or damaged certificates," Mr Dick said.
"Affected Queenslanders can also arrange replacement certificates by phoning the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages on 1300 366 430 or emailing BDM-mail@justice.qld.gov.au
"Those seeking to suspend fine payments should contact SPER on 1300 365 635."
The fee-waiver arrangement for replacement certificates and the deferral of SPER fine payments will be in place initially until the end of March 2011, with the possibility of extension depending on future weather events.
