Record SPER seizures, luxury sports cars as Queenslanders rack up almost a billion dollars in debt

Queensland motorists accumulated nearly $1 billion in debt as a record number of vehicles were seized in a crackdown, including high-end sports cars.

A vehicle that has been seized by SPER. State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) is cracking down on fine debt defaulters, collecting a record $477 million, and seizing more than 750 vehicles from fine evaders in 2024–25.

Top-of-the-range supercars and hundreds of other vehicles have been seized in a crackdown on Queensland motorists, with nearly a billion dollars in debt collected in two years.

The State Penalties Enforcement Registry has collected a record $477m in traffic offen­der debt in the 2024/25 financial year, on top of $436m seized in the year prior.

More than 750 vehicles were seized from debtors who refused to settle their fines, including high-end models such as Mercedes sports cars and a $350,000 McLaren 540C.

The majority of these seizures took place in Brisbane, Logan, Moreton Bay, Beaudesert, Ipswich, and the Gold and Sunshine coasts.

SPER officers executed seizure warrants for vehicles and other property of defaulters, collecting $3.5m during the operation.

Treasurer David Janetzki said the latest action was a reminder to repeat offenders that fines must be paid.

“I welcome the efforts of SPER officers targeting repeat traffic offenders, who not only owe thousands of dollars in fines, but are repeatedly putting the lives of other road users at risk,” he said.

“SPER’s latest enforcement action should serve as another reminder to … repeat offenders that fines must be paid, and you will be held accountable.”

This comes as Queensland’s road death toll rose by 5.9 per cent on the previous year, with the state recording 303 deaths in the 12 months to May 2025 compared with 286 in the same period last year.

In the current financial year, speeding offences topped the list of debt collections, amounting to $232,763,789. Driving-related offences followed with $175,260,005 in debts referred. Vehicle-related offences accounted for $41,446,828, while parking offences contributed $38,153,607 to debts referred.

A vehicle that has been seized by SPER.

The funds collected by SPER are vital for supporting state services, including road safety initiatives, schools, and infrastructure projects. The uncollected debts could have funded free transport for 3.5 years, an additional six-month electric­ity rebate, and several major infrastructure projects.

SPER director Kim Easton said officers were ensuring offenders pay the debts they owe.

“These are debtors who wilfully disobey the law, continue to put others at risk of serious injury or death on our roads and owe thousands of dollars to Queenslanders,” he said.

Debtors targeted through the SPER blitz have a history of multiple serious traffic offences, such as speeding and failing to stop at red lights, in addition to other dangerous offences like possession of weapons and assault, all which pose a risk to public safety.

A vehicle that has been seized by SPER.

During the operation, one offender accumulated a total of 66 debts, with an additional 24 incurred in the past year, amounting to $36,231 in fines.

“By refusing to pay fines, these debtors risk having their licences suspended, money taken from their wages or bank accounts, or losing their vehicles and other property,” Mr Easton said.