$700 mil of fines left unpaid due to technology troubles
Administrative problems have left a colossal sum of fines unpaid, with 123,000 penalties, some of which run into the thousands of dollars, still outstanding.
VIC News
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Unpaid fines have sucked hundreds of millions of dollars from the state Budget due to an ongoing debacle at trouble-plagued Fines Victoria.
The Herald Sun understands collection has not yet been made for 123,000 court penalties, totalling $700 million.
A total of $685 million in Magistrates’ Court fines remain outstanding, while $15 million is owing on County Court imposts.
The problem has been attributed to administrative problems within Fines Victoria, the independent body that administers and enforces the penalties.
Issues with technology have also been impacting the state’s finances, with financial reports showing the government was short about $328 million in fines for the last financial year.
The universal infringement system has faced serious problems since it was introduced in 2018 and was slammed by the Victorian Ombudsman in April this year.
The Andrews Government is considering the outcome of a review into Fines Victoria but insists the service is operational.
“We know that the new IT system has fallen short of what was contracted, and what Victorians expect,” a government spokeswoman said. “The Attorney-General ordered a full-scale review of issues in relation to Fines Victoria earlier this year, and conversations in relation to contractual agreements are ongoing.”
An issue with merging data from the courts means many Victorians with fines have not received a reminder notice and this is believed to be linked to the outstanding penalties.
Court Services Victoria chief executive Louise Anderson said the agency would work to find a quick resolution.
“The issues with Fines Victoria have had minimal impact on court operations and the courts continue to impose fines according to law,” she said.
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But Opposition justice spokesman Edward O’Donohue said the bungle could cost Victorians.
“This is the Myki mess on steroids, but it is far worse because it reaches into every single thing that Fines Victoria does,” he said.
“Every state government service that relies on this revenue, council services, the justice system are all now in jeopardy because this is a fundamental failure that goes to the heart of government.
“The Andrews Labor Government has already run out of money so this will inevitably mean new or higher taxes to clean up its mess.”