Queensland Government Raking In The Fines With Tough Penalties

The Queensland Government has announced a 15 percent increase in fine payments over the 2009/10 financial year, climbing to $166.4 million from $143.9 million in the previous year.

The growth is attributed to tough new laws announced last year that allows the State Penalties Enforcement Registry to seize property, suspend licences and clamp the wheels of vehicles belonging to motorists with outstanding fines.

In effect, the new laws have seen revenues jump 18.4 percent between January and June this year, compared to 6.5 percent growth in 2008/09.

"The actual number of payments jumped by more than half a million, from about 2.7 million in 2008-09 to 3.2 million in 2009-10," QLD Attorney-General Cameron Dick said today.

"These figures show that our tough new laws are working, forcing long-term fine defaulters to meet their obligations and pay their debt to the community."  

“The latest raft of enforcement initiatives only took effect six months ago but have already prompted fine dodgers to pay up in record numbers," he added.

Mr Dick said that wheel clamps were used in 17 cases, with the laws only applying to people with debts greater than $5000. While 23 property seizure notices had been issued, the debtors had either paid or reached an agreement before seizure was required.

The Queensland Government said that around $140 million went to the state, while $12 million went to councils, universities and hospitals. A further $15 million went to the beneficiaries of court orders, such as victims of crime.