State Penalties Enforcement Registry seizes high-end cars in fine evader clampdown

The state’s debt collector is ramping up its crackdown on Queenslanders refusing to pay fines, with high-end vehicles including Range Rovers, BMWs and Harley-Davidsons seized.

Range Rovers, high-end SUVS, BMWs, utes and a Harley-Davidson have been seized by state government authorities in a clamp down on Queenslanders refusing to pay their fines.

Treasurer Cameron Dick will announce on Sunday the State Penalties Enforcement Registry is now ramping up compliance efforts in inner-Brisbane to claw back even more money owed to taxpayers.

It comes after the Palaszczuk government recouped more than half a billion dollars since unveiling its new debt recovery and compliance program in 2020.

One of the vehicles seized during a blitz on the Gold Coast.

During a recent enforcement blitz on the Gold Coast, the state’s debt collector seized 54 vehicles and secured more than $3m in upfront payments as well as $10m in payment plans.

Coomera, Helensvale, Burleigh Heads, Southport, Robina, and Tugun were among the suburbs where SPER officers took hold of the vehicles in what was a record number of seizures for a single operation.

“SPER officers seized a range of vehicles, including Range Rovers, BMWs, high-end SUVs, utes, a Harley-Davidson and even a prime mover,” Mr Dick said.

“Twelve of these vehicles have been sold at auction because the owners refused to pay the fines and penalties that they owed.”

The prime mover seized on the Gold Coast.

Mr Dick warned SPER enforcement officers were now turning their attention to inner-Brisbane areas – pursuing more money from rule breakers who had not coughed up what they owed to Queenslanders.

The Treasurer announced the government’s debt recovery and compliance program in September 2020 – promising at the time to recover an extra $488.15m over three and half years.

A Harley-Davidson seized during the raids.

Mr Dick confirmed SPER had already exceeded this target – raking in $541m – and it had done it well in advance of its June 2024 deadline.

“If money is owed to Queensland taxpayers, I think it’s only fair that those debts are paid,” he said.

“This is a pleasing result, because that money can now be put towards delivering better services for Queenslanders through new hospitals, schools and critical road upgrades.”

Over the past two years, SPER has seized more than 350 vehicles as part of their ramped up enforcement activities on “high-value debtors”.

And the debt collection agency has also clawed back over $276m in fines and penalties after opening a new debt management centre in Ipswich in 2020.

The total amount of unpaid fines, tolls, and penalties sitting on SPER’s books as of the end of last year was a massive $1.28bn – up more than $30m from the year before.

Mr Dick pointed out SPER collected almost $300m in 2021-22, which was a record haul in a single year for the agency.

The government has also upped their investment in detection models for the Queensland Revenue Officer to catch out Queenslanders and businesses not properly paying tax.

“Those who choose not to comply can be the subject of a QRO audits or investigation,” the Treasurer said.

“Queensland Revenue Office will continue to collect every dollar that is owed to the people of Queensland.”