Nine out of 10 Queenslanders failing to pay COVID-19 fines costing state $3.5 million
Nine out of ten people caught breaching Queensland's COVID-19 laws are failing to pay their fines, leaving the state government waiting on millions of unpaid fines.
Between March 19 and September 29, 2296 people were fined a total of $3.5 million for breaking Queensland's coronavirus health directives.
But according to the government, only 216 have paid their penalties.
The Queensland government claims only 10 per cent of people have paid their COVID-19 fines. 9News
High profile lawyer Bill Potts told 9News it wasn't surprising some people weren't paying up.
"The reality is if you're prepared to breach the laws there for public safety and the health of the community, you're exactly the person who won't pay a fine," Mr Potts said.
Thousands of fines have been issued since the start of the pandemic. 9News
The new figures come after Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said "quite a high percentage" of people are also failing to pay their bills for hotel quarantine.
Under Queensland's COVID regulations, people generate a (SPER) State Penalties Enforcement Registry debt if they cannot pay their fines.
The Queensland government is currently owed $1.3 billion in unpaid penalties.
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