Victorian authorities still chasing 20,000 unpaid Covid fines, despite other states abolishing infringements

The Victorian government is continuing to chase down almost 20,000 unpaid Covid fines — totalling up to $30m — despite NSW and Queensland cancelling the penalties.

Victorian authorities continue to chase down almost 20,000 unpaid Covid fines totalling up to $30m, despite other states abolishing the penalties.

New Victorian government data has revealed that almost 40 per cent of Victoria’s 50,000 fines issued for breaches during the pandemic haven’t been paid, but the state is ruling out cancelling the fines permanently.

Queensland and New South Wales withdrew outstanding Covid-related penalties after legal challenges. In December, Queensland repealed 200 fines totalling $3.6m.

That came after the NSW government withdrew 33,000 fines after a test case relating to “limited information” in some penalty notices not complying with the Fines Act in that state.

It’s understood due to Victoria’s declaration of a state of emergency in Victoria and the way the state legislates fines that a legal challenge against the penalties would be much more difficult.

Police conduct roadside checks in Middle Park as people are seen exercising along the foreshore during a stage four COVID-19 lockdown. Picture: David Crosling

Its believed that up to $90m in on-the-spot fines of up to $1817 for those caught refusing or failing to comply with Covid laws were originally issued during the pandemic.

But many have been struck out or waived in court. There are also concerns many were handed out unfairly.

One report by Inner Melbourne Community Legal released last year found that Victoria Police engaged in ­racial profiling when it issued infringement notices during the first year of the Covid pandemic.

The report also found some police operations resulted in up to 40 per cent of the fines being issued to people of African and Middle Eastern appearance, and in some areas up to a third of fines were issued against ­Indigenous Australians.

In June last year, former ­Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes told the parliament's public ­accounts and estimates committee that more than 11,000 fines had been cancelled, and 152 passed to the Children's Court to manage, prompting calls for a widescale review of outstanding fines.

The panel was also told the cost of pursuing fines was often greater than the amount ­recouped.

People out and about in the CBD after Melbourne emerged from Lockdown. Picture: Paul Jeffers

Opposition spokesman ­Michel O’Brien said it was time to withdraw the fines and move on. “The Labor government used Victoria Police as the ­enforcement arm of its heavy- handed Covid policies that often made no sense and damaged many lives,” he said.

“Threatening seniors for daring to rest on a park bench rather than ‘exercise’ was just one example of the overbearing behaviour that many Victorians rightly rejected.

“All outstanding Covid fines should immediately be ­reviewed and withdrawn ­unless for egregious behaviour that genuinely put lives at risk,” Mr O’Brien said.

A Victorian government spokesman said: “Public health directives played an important role in keeping Victorians safe and stopping the spread during the pandemic.

“We have many flexible options available for those experiencing disadvantage or with special circumstances to deal with their fine, and we encourage people with outstanding fines to contact Fines Victoria.”

Sarah Condon, Practice Group Leader at Robinson Gill Lawyers said the fines needed to be waived.

“Victorian authorities should be immediately looking to their counterparts in New South Wales – the Commissioner of Fines in consultation with NSW Police announced in November 2024 that around 23,500 fines would be withdrawn,” she said.

“People are already under significant financial strain, and these fines only add to their distress. “The withdrawal of fines doesn’t go far enough however – where infringements were improperly issued in the first instance, any funds paid in response should be refunded.”

Originally published as Victorian authorities still chasing 20,000 unpaid Covid fines, despite other states abolishing infringements