The New South Wales Supreme court has cancelled over 33,000 covid violation fines after the court found them to be ‘invalid’.
ABC News Australia reports, “Justice Dina Yehia SC was set to hear arguments that two fines for between $1,000 and $3,000, did not meet the requirements of section 20 under the Fines Act.”
The fines did not feature relevant details pertaining to the specific nature of offences and were therefore invalidated.
In total 62,128 covid related fines were issued in the Australian state during the pandemic.
Revenue NSW said it would be refunding fines which have been withdrawn “where a customer has made a payment either in part or in full” and that, “Where fines are withdrawn, all sanctions, including drivers licence restrictions or garnishee order activity will be stopped,”.
A spokesperson said that close to ten million Australian dollars, approximately €6,493,050, is to be refunded, and that the process of contacting those affected will begin immediately.
The Law Society Gazette reported that although the fines were withdrawn on a legal technicality, the ‘offences’ were still committed.
One man is reported to have received a fine for sitting on a park bench.
Crown Advocate David Kell, SC, said “it may be taken as likely” the court’s decision may have a knock on effect on other penalty notices.