‘Tough consequences’ promised as Covid rule dodgers still owe $4.6m

Thousands of Queenslanders busted breaching Covid restrictions up to three years ago still owe millions in fines. Now the state’s debt collector says it’s time to pay up.

Thousands of Queenslanders busted breaching Covid restrictions up to three years ago still owe millions in fines, with the state’s debt collector vowing “tough consequences” to make them pay up.

Long after the bulk of the state’s Covid restrictions were dropped, fines for border breaches, not wearing or carrying masks, and failing to comply with chief health officer directions are among the Covid-related penalties still being chased down by the State Penalties Enforcement Registry.

As of February this year, SPER had 2760 Covid-19 related fines on its books that were yet to be paid – coming to a total value of $4.699m.

The outstanding money could pay for 45 ambulance transport buses, fund the latest rollout of protective barriers for bus drivers, or pay for the new CT scanner at Charters Towers.

About $2.19m of the outstanding fines were issued in 2020 when the pandemic began, while $2.33m of the penalties were dished out in 2021.

Another $162,479 of the fines were given out in 2022 – but five of the Covid-related penalties, valued at $9400, were issued only this year.

People ware face masks in central Brisbane in 2022. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

In a statement, a SPER spokeswoman said the debt collector was “active” in its collection and enforcement of Covid-related debts.

“This is money owed to all Queenslanders. SPER debtors who continually ignore warnings and refuse to pay will be subject to tough consequences,” the spokeswoman said. “These types of debtors can have money taken from their wages or bank accounts or have their cars clamped, seized and towed to encourage them to meet their obligations.”

More than 1800 of the outstanding fines related to a person or business failing to comply with the directions of the chief health officer.

A further 658 of the outstanding penalties were also linked to border directions, while more than 100 related to breaches of mask rules.

Since the pandemic began in 2020, SPER says it has received a total of 3894 unpaid Covid-19 fines worth $7.2m owed by 3420 individuals or businesses.

About 58 per cent of these fines – valued at $4.1m – have been paid in full or the SPER debtor who owes the money has been put on a payment plan.

Another 27.5 per cent of the outstanding Covid fines – worth $2.1m – are being pursued through enforcement measures, such as the garnishing of wages or drivers licence suspensions. The remaining $1m yet to be paid is being investigated by SPER or awaiting action from the debt collector.