Thousands of Australians Could Have Homes Seized, Bank Accounts Raided for Unpaid Covid Fines

Australian citizens are not just being told to wear masks or being threatened to lose their jobs if they don’t get vaccinated. They are losing their homes, their money, and anything the government can get ahold of.

The Daily Mail published an article with the headline: “Thousands of Australians with unpaid fines for breaking Covid rules have their homes seized, bank accounts raided and licenses canceled as government chases $5.2 million.”

The lengths the government is prepared to go to in order to recoup the money from people who failed to pay their fines “may include garnishing bank accounts or wages, registering charges over property, or suspending driver licenses” according to the Brisbane Times.

The government is attempting to collect $5.2 million in unpaid fines for covid-19 violations they imposed on citizens. They are doing so with even more crackdowns, threats, and restrictions. Roughly 56.4 percent of the fines have already been paid in full or are being paid off on a payment plan, reports The Daily Mail.

However, the State Penalties Enforcement Register (SPER) is “expected to collect 3,046 unpaid fines from the pandemic on behalf of Queensland Health.” Additionally, “more than 2,755 fines were from individuals and businesses accused of breaking Covid-19 restrictions and the rest either still under investigation or pending payment.”

SPER is also going after repayments on over 2,045 overdue hotel quarantine bills which they say have racked up debt for the state of $5.7 million. “Queenslanders rightly expect travelers will pay for their hotel quarantine stays and not leave taxpayers to foot the bill,” said Queensland Health.

The Daily Mail reports: “The commission debt collectors will make from recovering the unpaid fines is not yet known. Before Queensland required upfront payment for hotel quarantine stays, 44,350 invoices were issued by October 8 with 10.8 percent of bills outstanding.
Those unable to foot the bill can apply for a waiver but others will be referred to debt collectors.”