LNP to consider debt collectors to help clear $1.3bn SPER debt
The amount of debt owed by fine and toll dodgers in Queensland has reached more than $1.3 billion, with the Opposition claiming the dodgers were “laughing at Labor” as taxpayers were left footing the bill. But the LNP has outlined a new measure to recover the money.
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Debt collectors could be called in under an LNP government to help clear the more than $1.3 billion owed to Queensland taxpayers by fine and toll dodgers.
More than $21.5 million in debt was added to the State Penalties Enforcement Registry’s books in the 2019-20 financial year – the equivalent of about $59,000 every day.
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The LNP’s treasury spokesman Tim Mander said his party would consider additional measures to recover the massive debt, including the use of mercantile agents under an “incentive-based arrangement”.
Asked if Labor would use private debt collectors if it wins re-election, a spokeswoman for Treasurer Cameron Dick said their intention was to keep using government staff to collect SPER debt.
The increase in the SPER debt was about 1.7 per cent in 2019-20, with $269.4 million collected from debtors – down from the $290.6 million hauled in the previous financial year.
Mr Mander said the LNP would look at “increased enforcement” to recover the debt, as he claimed fine dodgers were “laughing at Labor”.
“And it’s Queensland taxpayers who are footing the bill,” he said.
“SPER debt will continue to spiral out of control until we change this economically incompetent government.”
Mr Dick’s spokeswoman pointed to the government’s plan to invest $74.9 million on a debt and recovery compliance program in a bid to increase revenue and collections by $488.1 million over the next three and half years.
“SPER has significantly reduced the debt pool’s rate of growth from 8.7 per cent under the LNP to just 1.7 per cent now,” she said.
“In March 2020, SPER temporarily suspended enforcement action, to help people with SPER debts affected by COVID-19, which has had an impact on SPER collection.
“In line with the easing of restrictions across the state, enforcement action has now restarted where people refuse to deal with their SPER debt.”
Those enforcement measures include suspending driver licences, garnishing bank accounts as well as clamping and seizing vehicles.
The spokeswoman said the debt recovery and compliance program would “increase proactive debt management by SPER”.
In 2015, the Palaszczuk Government abandoned plans from the former LNP Government to hire private debt collectors to tackle the SPER debt.
