Government has $637m in fines to collect

The Government is owed more than $600 million in fines, a figure which National says proves the infringement system is out of control.

It is more than double the amount outstanding five years ago.

The figures were obtained by National's new law and order spokesman, Simon Power, in answers to written parliamentary questions.

They reveal $310.8 million was outstanding at the end of the 1999-2000 year, which jumped to $637.65 million by the end of the last financial year.

Over half of the fines - $351 million - were overdue.

Other figures released reveal that many people are repeat offenders: 56,589 people owe money for 10 or more fines.

There are 9000 people who each owe a whopping $10,000 or more, and nearly 180,000 people owed fines which were more than five years old.

Mr Power said the rising number of fines outstanding revealed an infringement system "spiralling out of control".

"It's becoming indicative of the way all the law and order and justice portfolios are being run; corrections, police and courts. There doesn't seem to be one of those portfolios that is in good shape.

"The public have got a right to expect that if an offender is fined, the fine is paid. This is just blatant flouting of the system."

A just-released Ministry of Justice ministerial briefing paper notes a "fundamental review" of the infringement system is under way to ensure it is "fit for purpose".

Fines could be imposed for a wide range of offences, by about 100 different prosecuting authorities.

"The purpose of the review is to reduce the number of infringements needing enforcement and to make the system more efficient, fairer and more consistent."