Queensland to earn $518m from speeding drivers

The latest Queensland State Government figures show that while over the last financial year $396 million was poured into state coffers through fines and forfeitures, that number is expected to rise to $444 million for the 2018-19 period, according to a report by the ABC.

The State Government doesn’t expect that figure to slow, either, with projected revenue growing to $469 million in 2019-20, then jumping over half-a-billion in 2020-21, with a predicted addition of $518 million to state coffers in 2021-22.

That figure includes revenue raised by red light, mobile, and point-to-point cameras, speeding infringements handed out by police, as well as other fines handed out by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, along with the State Penalties Enforcement Registry.

Of the $518 million of projected revenue in the 2021-22 financial year, $237.2 million is expected to come from speeding fines, while the largest portion ($253.3 million) is linked to “other fines and forfeitures”. Red light cameras and other camera-detected offences are predicted to add $18.8 million and $8.7 million in the 12 month period respectively.

The current Deputy Opposition Leader, Tim Lander, described the projected revenue as “extraordinary”.

“We want to make sure that this isn't just a way for the Palaszczuk Government to revenue raise," he said according to the ABC.

"They need to ensure that these speed camera locations are directly linked with improving road safety.

"One way to ensure this is to end this practice of covert speed cameras — having high-visibility signage is as much of a speeding deterrent than a monetary fine itself."

Speeding fine revenue alone is expected to grow by almost 50 percent, from an actual collection of $160.6 million in the 2017-18 financial year, to an expected $180.4 million in ’18-’19, before ballooning to $206.3 million, $222 million, and finally $237.2 million in a single 12 month period.