Geraldton woman Sonia Leonie Ring fined $660 for failing to complete 2021 census

A Rangeway woman who refused to complete the 2021 census because she “doesn’t trust the government” has been fined more than $600. Sonia Leonie Ring on Thursday appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court where she pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to comply with a direction served under the Census and Statistics Act. The census is compulsory in Australia, with foreign diplomats and their families the only people exempt from taking part. Census staff attended Ring’s home multiple times and she was ultimately served with directions to complete the 2021 census after she failed to complete the survey on August 10. The court was told the 51-year-old said she does not vote or participate in the census because she “doesn’t trust the government”. Magistrate Angus Hockton said it was in everyone’s interest to complete the survey so “the right services can be provided” based on local need. He fined Ring $660 for her offending, and she was ordered to pay $259.30 in court costs. The results of the 2021 census are expected to be released from Tuesday.