Revealed: How many Covid fines have actually been paid
Millions of dollars of Covid fines are yet to be paid in Victoria, with less than one in ten fines actually paid.
40,843 fines were issued for Covid related breaches over the past financial year but only 8.6 per cent have actually been paid.
According to The Herald Sun, Victorian Chief Commissioner Shane Patton told a parliamentary inquiry on Tuesday that more than 20,000 fines had been ignored, 8 per cent of people fined had requested a payment plan and 6.9 per cent wanted to challenge the fine in court.
Fines will be pursued
The parliamentary inquiry was told that the outstanding fines will be followed up on.
The Public Accounts and Estimates Committee was told "no action" had been taken for 62 per cent of fines issued.
However, Rebecca Falkingham, secretary of the Department of Justice and Community Safety told the inquiry that payments for the fines will be followed up on.
“It’s worth pointing out that a lot of people will be on a payment plan … or that they’ve sought an internal review,” she said, as per The Herald Sun.
“The government will continue to pursue those fines in accordance with all the statutory thresholds we have in relation to those fines.
“When they’re not followed we do issue infringements... those fines don’t cease when the pandemic ceases, and we will continue to pursue those fines.”
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In Victoria, police can issue on-the-spot fines of up to $1,817 for individuals and up to $10,904 for businesses for refusing or failing to comply with public health orders.
A $5,452 fine can be issued to anyone found breaching gatherings directions.
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