THE FERNY REPORT

by Mark Furner M.P. State Member for Ferny Grove

Queensland Government Bans ‘Fake Fines’

I am pleased to report the Palaszczuk Government is closing a loophole which allows the release of vehicle registration information to private parking operators and their legal representatives.

A number of constituents have alerted me to this corporate scam and my office has been following this up for a number of months now. The Palaszczuk Government previously closed a similar loophole used by the tow truck industry and I am pleased to say that we are standing up for people’s rights again.

From Monday, 20 February, these companies will no longer be able to rip people off through the misuse of registration information, including names and addresses, in order to issue people with their ‘fake fines’.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads will be conducting a thorough review of the registration regulation, including consultation with the intention of progressing amendments later in 2023 to restrict information releases through legislation.

People who have done nothing wrong have been bullied into paying fines of $88 just for going to a restaurant or doing a bit of shopping. From 20 February, this will stop.

I look forward to seeing the regulations being updated later this year.

Coffee Catch Up

I will be holding my next coffee catch up at Pepper n Salt Café at Keperra Great Western on Saturday 18 March from 8am. Please drop in and have a cuppa and a chat about the things which matter to you. The coffee is on me!

LOCAL ART & CRAFT SHOWS

Brookside Shopping Centre 20th - 26th March 2023

CRAFT ONLY SHOW!

All items are for sale and there will be a raffle box!

Kedron Arts Group (KAG) consists of local artists and crafts people, and provides the opportunity for members to showcase and sell their work to the public. KAG donates a % of all sales to nominated local charities, such as Karuna Hospice, Drought Angels, A Brave Life and Qld Rural Fire Brigade. For more details email kedronartsgroup@gmail.com

DON‘T MISS THE DEADLINE! The deadline for The Everton Echo April edition is the 23rd March

One of the best parts of my job is being able to recognise the often unsung contributions to our community by some of our local champions. Robert Huis has been selflessly helping his neighbours for decades. He had no idea one of his neighbours had contacted my office and asked me to recognise his years of service. Unsurprisingly, Robert was keen to tell me that he didn’t think the recognition was warranted and that there were others who he felt had done much more.

People like Robert are the real reason we live in a great society. Thank you, Robert!