State Parliament has given the green light to Government moves to reduce the number of people being gaoled for refusing to pay fines.
Attorney General Joe Berinson said legislation passed last night would ensure that prison was no longer an option for people who refused to pay fines when they had the means to do so.
"Where a person has the capacity to pay, but refuses to do so, the legislation allows the prosecution to seek payment by confiscation of property," Mr Berinson said.
"People who can pay will simply not be allowed to cut out their fine in prison, where they end up costing the community more than $100 a day.
"It should be remembered that people already have the capacity to pay fines by instalment or request extra time to pay."
People who genuinely could not afford to pay would still be able to convert their fine to a community work order. However, that option would not be available to people who could pay. A means test would be imposed to ensure fines were not converted in such cases.
Mr Berinson said the Acts Amendment (Jurisdiction and Criminal Procedure) Bill would also expand the existing work order system for people who genuinely could not pay their fine.
At present, only fines payable to consolidated revenue, such as police traffic fines, can be converted to community work orders, but this would be extended to cover fines and penalties payable to local councils, and fines imposed by the local court.
He expected the legislation to come into force early next year, as soon as the necessary court rules and administration procedures had been finalised.
