Drivers, rejoice! A major crackdown on private parking fines is finally here
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Parking fines can be frustrating, but what happens when they come from private companies rather than official government agencies?
A long-standing issue has sparked debate over whether these operators should have access to drivers' personal details—and now, new changes could permanently shut them out.
Here’s what’s unfolding and why it’s set to reshape how parking disputes are handled.
Private car park operators in Queensland will no longer have access to car registration details under new laws designed to close a significant loophole.
For years, these companies could request driver information from the state government by claiming they were initiating legal proceedings over unpaid parking fees.
This allowed them to issue intimidating demand notices that closely resembled official fines.
The practice, particularly common in non-gated car parks, faced mounting criticism, prompting successive Queensland governments to intervene.
In 2023, the former government temporarily blocked private parking operators from obtaining registration details.
This week, the current government announced it would make that ban permanent, ensuring that only government agencies and courts could enforce fines of any kind.
Department of Transport and Main Roads executive Joanna Robinson stated: ‘These amendments will close a loophole and bring Queensland into line with other states and territories.’
She added: ‘These changes show the Queensland Government’s commitment to protecting the personal information of Queenslanders. Now more than ever, the community expect government to ensure that their personal information is only used for specific and legislated reasons.’
Concerns about misleading enforcement tactics intensified after Brisbane residents reported receiving aggressive payment demands that appeared to be legal penalties.
Former Transport Minister Mark Bailey had previously slammed these so-called fines as a ‘rip off’.
When the temporary ban was introduced, he argued that private companies had ‘no intentions of taking people to court’ but instead relied on the threat of legal action to pressure drivers into paying additional enforcement fees.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has been contacted for clarification on when the amending legislation will be introduced to parliament.
In a previous story, an expert weighed in on whether this parking loophole actually worked and how drivers were affected.
Their insights shed light on the tactics used by private operators and what motorists could do in response.
Read more to see how the debate unfolded.
With private parking fines facing a major crackdown, do you think this change will make a difference for Queensland drivers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
A long-standing issue has sparked debate over whether these operators should have access to drivers' personal details—and now, new changes could permanently shut them out.
Here’s what’s unfolding and why it’s set to reshape how parking disputes are handled.
Private car park operators in Queensland will no longer have access to car registration details under new laws designed to close a significant loophole.
For years, these companies could request driver information from the state government by claiming they were initiating legal proceedings over unpaid parking fees.
This allowed them to issue intimidating demand notices that closely resembled official fines.
The practice, particularly common in non-gated car parks, faced mounting criticism, prompting successive Queensland governments to intervene.
In 2023, the former government temporarily blocked private parking operators from obtaining registration details.
This week, the current government announced it would make that ban permanent, ensuring that only government agencies and courts could enforce fines of any kind.
Department of Transport and Main Roads executive Joanna Robinson stated: ‘These amendments will close a loophole and bring Queensland into line with other states and territories.’
She added: ‘These changes show the Queensland Government’s commitment to protecting the personal information of Queenslanders. Now more than ever, the community expect government to ensure that their personal information is only used for specific and legislated reasons.’
Concerns about misleading enforcement tactics intensified after Brisbane residents reported receiving aggressive payment demands that appeared to be legal penalties.
Former Transport Minister Mark Bailey had previously slammed these so-called fines as a ‘rip off’.
When the temporary ban was introduced, he argued that private companies had ‘no intentions of taking people to court’ but instead relied on the threat of legal action to pressure drivers into paying additional enforcement fees.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has been contacted for clarification on when the amending legislation will be introduced to parliament.
In a previous story, an expert weighed in on whether this parking loophole actually worked and how drivers were affected.
Their insights shed light on the tactics used by private operators and what motorists could do in response.
Read more to see how the debate unfolded.
With private parking fines facing a major crackdown, do you think this change will make a difference for Queensland drivers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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