Just one in 10 fines for breaching Victorian health orders during the COVID-19 pandemic have been paid in full, stripping tens of millions of dollars from the state's coffers.

In a state budget estimates hearing on Friday, Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said 50,150 fines totalling more than $100 million were handed out for breaching health orders during the pandemic.

More than 5500 have been paid in full, almost 3500 in part with the aid of ongoing payment plans and 14,319 are unpaid past their due date, leading to enforcement warrants being issued.

Some 3716 people have challenged 4052 of the fines in court and 11,800 were cancelled by enforcement agencies.

A further 152 fines were also registered with the Children's Court for enforcement.

So far the Victorian government has recouped $9.36m from COVID-19 fines paid in full and another $5.76m are subject to ongoing payment plans.

Despite more than 20 per cent of the fines being withdrawn, Ms Symes warned people not to ignore them as they can build up over time.

"Fines don't go away unless you take action for them," she told the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee.

"There is a variety of ways that you can seek to engage with the department to deal with your fines, whether it's through payment plans or whether people have got grounds to have them withdrawn."

Shadow attorney-general Michael O'Brien called on all outstanding COVID-19 fines to be immediately reviewed and withdrawn unless found to have genuinely put lives at risk.

"The Andrews Labor government used Victoria Police as the enforcement arm of its heavy handed COVID policies; policies that often made no sense and damaged many lives," Mr O'Brien said in a statement.

"That barely one in ten fines have been paid in full says that many people do not accept the Andrews government's unjust fines or unjust policies."

Australian Associated Press

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1
By:johnsie from vic, australia on June 28, 2023 @ 7:58 pm
A case for vicarious liability at the very least perhaps? This sort of government rubbish is an insult really to the men, women and children all around the world, especially in light of those who have died and been injured as a result of the heinous actions of our so called governments. The peoples Trust in govt was already eroded prior COVID, now it could be said it's extinct.
2
By:Brian P from SA, Australia on June 28, 2023 @ 1:48 pm
How can you strip and recoup millons from state coffers when it never existed tobegin with. Great way for state to offset their debts with thde commonwealth and internationally though. Christ knows what thes administrators get upto.
3
By:Swaggard from QLD, OZ on June 28, 2023 @ 1:18 pm
No debt or law here just fines and policies.. lol IGNORE IGNORE IGNORE
4
By:Josh from Victoria, Australia on June 27, 2023 @ 3:51 pm
In Vic a 12 month limitation exists to bring charges for a summary offence - sect 7 Criminal Procedure Act 2009
7
By:Bazza from Vic, Aus on June 26, 2023 @ 8:10 pm
NO contract = NO obligation = NO contact = NO court = NO conviction = NO fine/penalty.

So any notice trying to scare or coerce you into contacting them, contracting with them and coughing up vital $$$ can lawfully be ignored.

If there is anything to consider for harm received, as Jim pointed out, people should be on the offensive with a tort.

if the article is correct, it appears 9000 peeps have more money than sense.
7
By:Jim B from vic, australia on June 23, 2023 @ 10:44 pm
what people wont accept or forget is the breach of trust and duty of care owed to the people of this nation by those in key positions of governance and statutory bodies. Still, to this day the credibility of all complicit parties and polis has been shot to pieces. Blood has stained their souls for eternity. Forget any fines, where are the actions for torts against this murderous swine who should be affording us remedy and begging for our forgiveness as they head to the gallows. Lest we never forget their lies, grand deception and treachery which has become commonplace. May they all burn in hell !! If we want a better civilization we must all stand up and call this wrongdoing out.

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