New offender levy passed in Parliament

Defendants found guilty of offences in the Supreme, District and Magistrates courts will soon pay an offender levy with amendments to the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 passed in Parliament today.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Jarrod Bleijie said the Penalties and Sentences and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 would introduce levies of up to $300.

That penalty would apply to people found guilty in the Supreme and District Courts and a $100 levy would apply to people found guilty in the Magistrates Court.

“Revenue generated from this levy will be directed towards frontline services as well as strengthening support services for victims of serious crime,” Mr Bleijie said.

“It has been designed to ensure that offenders contribute to Queensland’s justice system and to address the harm that their crimes cause.

“This levy will apply to all adult offenders, there will be no exceptions.

“To avoid paying the levy, the answer is simple: don’t do the crime.”

Mr Bleijie said the offender levy would be automatically imposed at the conclusion of sentencing, but because it was an administrative levy it would not form part of the sentence.

“It will be payable per sentencing event regardless of the number of convictions or whether or not a conviction is recorded,” he said.

The Penalties and Sentences and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 will also include an increase to the value of the penalty unit from $100 to $110.

“The penalty unit is the basic monetary value for most fines and penalty infringement notices issued by courts, police and other Queensland agencies,” he said.

“Queensland’s current penalty unit value is less than the equivalent in New South Wales and Victoria.

“The proposed increase will bring the state’s penalty unit value in line with that of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, while remaining below the value in Victoria and Tasmania.”

The provisions in the Bill will apply upon assent from the Governor.

Media contact: Lisa O’Donnell – 0400 986 432