Criminal tax: Law-breakers slugged to help victims under radical plan

CRIMINALS and other law-breakers would pay a new tax to help victims under a bold push from Victoria’s top victim rights group and both major political parties have backed the concept.

Victims of Crime Commissioner Greg Davies wants to add a $20 victims levy to speeding fines. Picture: Jay Town

CRIMINALS and others who break the law would pay a new tax under a bold push from Victoria’s top victims’ rights advocate for a compensation fund. And both major political parties have backed the idea.

Victims of Crime Commissioner Greg Davies has outlined the radical plan, which he says could raise $88 million a year, in a submission to Victoria’s Law Reform Commission.

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The government has said it is considering a levy to raise funds to support crime victims.

This morning Premier Daniel Andrews said the government would assess Victims of Crime Commissioner Greg Davies detailed victim’s levy proposal, but said there were details to be worked through.

“You don’t want to have it structured in such a way that enormous amount of resources is needed to chase down moneys.”

“It is about what is efficient to get the maximum return for victims.

He said the proposal was a “very important reform” and they would work with Mr Davies to deliver it.

The Opposition says it has a policy under which the worst criminals would be taxed $350.

Attorney-General Martin Pakula said: “I’ve discussed the issue previously with the Victims of Crime Commissioner, and we will work with him as we develop a scheme.”

Victorian Attorney-General Martin Pakula is considering a victims levy scheme on offenders. Picture: AAP/David Crosling

The Coalition policy would not apply to people issued with infringement notices. But those facing the Magistrates’ Court would be taxed $100, and those facing the County and Supreme Courts $350.

The levy would apply per offender, regardless of the number of offences, but it would not apply to juveniles.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said a tax on criminals was one tax he supported: “I’ll guarantee that I’ll make criminals pay, not just issue a press release saying they will.”

Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy says he wants to tax crims. Picture: AAP/Alex Murray

Last year, the victims’ assistance tribunal awarded $54 million, all of it from money provided by taxpayers.

Mr Davies’ office has recommended levies of $50 on top of court-imposed penalties and of $20 for infringement notices, including speeding fines.

“If you don’t want to pay, don’t break the law,” he said.

The levy would be used to provide funds for a victims’ compensation scheme.

Mr Davies said it was grossly unfair that law-abiding citizens were paying to comp­ensate crime victims when the person who was to blame was “absolved from financial ­responsibility”.

“Offenders should be held not only criminally responsible for their actions, but financially as well,” he said. “It seems we’ve got an unworkable restitution and compensation system. Almost every other juris­diction in the country has this.”

South Australia, for example, has a system under which offenders facing court pay $160 for a summary offence and $260 for an indictable matter. The infringement rate is $60.

Mr Davies said only those who broke the law would pay, so his proposed system was ­effectively voluntary and would be publicly accepted.

“I don’t think too many level-headed people would be violently opposed,” he said.

Mr Davies said when courts did order perpetrators to pay compensation, victims almost always never saw a cent. The criminals almost invariably refused to pay, leaving only the rarely used option of trying to sue to recover the money.

“It’s not successfully used,” Mr Davies said.

He has also suggested that the State of Victoria should be charged with the task of legally pursuing criminals who refuse to compensate victims.

The Victorian Law Reform Commission is currently reviewing the Victims of Crime Assistance Act.

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