Australian council refuses to back down on parking fine for valid ‘upside down’ ticket

‘Producing a ticket as part of an appeal does not warrant the withdrawal of the infringement notice’

The ticket [not pictured] had flipped over and become face-down when Matthew shut the car door (REX FEATURES)

An Australian driver has been left reeling after his local council refused to accept his appeal over a parking fine – despite proof he had bought a valid ticket.

The Melbourne motorist, known only as Matthew, was given a $76 (£35) infringement fine in late September after the parking ticket he had bought for $8.10 (£3.77) had been accidentally displayed upside down, obscuring the details showing it was valid.

Speaking to The Age, Matthew said: “I suspect [the ticket] must have blown over when I shut the door.”

He appealed against the fine, providing proof that his ticket had in fact been valid to Port Phillip Council, but was told that his fine would not be withdrawn.

The council wrote to Matthew to confirm that the parking officer saw a face-down ticket had been displayed in his car, but he was told having a valid ticket was not enough.

Port Phillip mayor Amanda Stevens told the newspaper that drivers must not only hold a ticket but also follow the instructions, which state the ticket must be placed on the passenger side of the dashboard with the expiry time visible from the outside of the vehicle.

“Producing a ticket as part of an appeal does not warrant the withdrawal of the infringement notice for the reasons outlined on the ticket,” she said.

Matthew said he is “outraged” at the result but will not appeal the case.