Police Minister Nicole Manison rules out refunds for drivers who have paid potentially unlawful speeding fines

Thousands of Top End drivers who have paid potentially unlawfully fines for speeding over the past year will not be refunded by the NT government, Police Minister Nicole Manison has told parliament.

Thousands of Top End drivers who were potentially unlawfully fined for speeding over the past year will not be refunded, Police Minister Nicole Manison has told parliament. Pictured is a speed camera at the Tiger Brennan Drive/ Berrimah Road intersection. Picture: Che Chorley

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Thousands of Top End drivers who have paid potentially unlawfully fines for speeding over the past year will not be refunded by the NT government, Police Minister Nicole Manison has told parliament.

It comes after driver Tania Laurencont was found not guilty of two speeding charges in March after a Darwin Local Court judge ruled NT Police had bungled the testing program.

At the time, defence lawyer Ray Murphy said the decision could make outstanding speeding fines contestable on the same basis.

In response to a question from Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro on Tuesday, Ms Manison yesterday said the government would not be reimbursing drivers who had already paid their fines.

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“The Office of the Solicitor-General of the Northern Territory advises the payment of the infringement by the offender finalises the rights of the alleged offender,” she said.

“Offenders were given the option of contesting the infringement.

“Once the payment is made it is taken to be a conscious decision that the statutory bargain or compromise has been entered into.

“The advice of the Solicitor-General is that the Territory is not require to repay any penalties paid or rescind any demerit points.”

Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison. Picture: Glenn Campbell

However, Ms Manison said drivers who had been fined but had not yet paid may still be able to contest their tickets.

“Work is ongoing to determine the status of those who have not paid their infringements, have had warrants issued or are currently before the court,” she said.