Latest news with #RevenueNSW
ABC News
08-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Ombudsman criticises Revenue NSW for trying to silence corruption watchdog complaints
A "deeply concerning" attempt by the NSW tax and fine collection agency to silence complaints and prevent people going to the corruption watchdog has been revealed, leading to a demand for a wideranging audit. The NSW Ombudsman tabled a special report in state parliament on Monday, claiming the extraordinary action was warranted due to Revenue NSW's conduct. The agency tried to resolve a dispute using a deed of settlement and release, which explicitly stated complaints against it could not be lodged to the ombudsman or the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). "The Deed impedes the work of integrity agencies, and is contrary to the public interest," ombudsman Paul Miller wrote in the report. "The provision has a chilling effect on complaints and may result in agencies evading proper scrutiny." If you have any information about a story, contact Tony Ibrahim. The settlement contract also includes confidentiality clauses, prohibiting people who sign it from making its terms public. The ICAC added taxpayers have a statutory right to complain to integrity agencies. "Any attempt to enforce such a provision would also constitute detrimental action against a person for making a complaint," chief commissioner John Hatzistergos said, in response to a draft copy of the report. The ombudsman said it came across the "deeply concerning" instance after reviewing public complaints made against Revenue NSW. Revenue NSW responded to the findings a week after receiving a copy of the ombudsman's draft report. The agency said the deed was being used to settle a "prolonged" tax dispute last month, and that the contract passed a review conducted by the Crown Solicitor's Office. He denied the problematic provision was part of the agency's standard practice, claiming similar provisions have not been spotted in other settlement contracts, in the week after learning about the report's findings. But a research institute dedicated to preserving Australia's democratic foundations believes not enough is being done to determine if other agencies are including similar provisions in their contracts. "There is every possibility that there could be 20 or 30 or hundreds of these deeds signed in circumstances where there could be instances of corrupt conduct within Revenue NSW and we wouldn't know," chair of the Centre for Public Integrity Anthony Whealy KC said. Mr Whealy said the risk of having the provision in more forms could be unchecked misconduct or corruption, as integrity agencies might not have had a basis to investigate. "This is such a dangerous precedent and such a dangerous document that I think the only way the public could be satisfied was for a full audit to be carried out in all of the government departments." His calls go beyond the recommendations made by Mr Miller, who instead recommended the Premier's Department and the Cabinet Office issue a directive to all government agencies, informing them "that this practice is inappropriate and unacceptable, and that it is not to be done". Mr Whealy also recommended Revenue NSW disregard any provision in a deed prohibiting someone from making complaints to integrity bodies, and to not take steps to enforce it. The state government stopped short of committing to a course of action but condemned the use of the problematic provision. "We'll have a look at [an audit] and whether there needs to be any reminders from the Department of Premier and cabinet," Acting Premier Ryan Park said. "We have these instruments and agencies in place so that the community can have confidence in their public officials who administer their money."
The Advertiser
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Heavier fines and new road rules coming into force from July 1
Changes for motorists coming into effect from today – July 1, 2025 – include the use of artificial intelligence (AI) cameras nationally, an increase in fines, and new rules around emergency vehicles. The new AI cameras have been rolled out nationally with face detection to spot drivers using mobile phones, with Queensland serving up the biggest penalty of $1209 and four demerit points for offending drivers. The Sunshine State tripled its revenue from booking motorists in 2023-2024 to $464.3 million, but that hasn't stopped the Queensland Government from increasing fines and vehicle registration costs by 3.4 per cent from July 1, 2025. New South Wales (NSW) motorists will also face higher fines, with a 3.2 per cent increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. While the now $423 fine ($563 in a school zone) for using a mobile while driving in New South Wales may be less than the cost in Queensland, drivers face five demerit points (unchanged) instead of four. NSW has also turned on two of its average speed cameras – used to detect speeding heavy vehicles since 2011 – to pick up speeding cars, too. The state government switched the cameras to 'enforcement mode' on July 1 after a two-month 'warning' period of two average speed zones, which followed a 14-month trial. One is on the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes (Port Macquarie) while the other is on the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai in the state's south. All other average speed cameras in NSW remain for heavy vehicles only. Ticketless parking – introduced in many NSW council areas in 2024 – has been outlawed from July 1, 2025, after the NSW state government passed a bill late last year, deeming it 'unfair' to motorists. Fines must now be attached to the vehicle, with images of the offence sent to the Revenue NSW and parking fine data now publicly available. In Victoria, new rules around emergency vehicles start today, with motorists now having to slow to 40km/h – previously for red and blue flashing lights – around magenta and yellow flashing lights. The change is designed to improve safety of recovery crews, tow vehicle operators and other workers such as roadside assistance vehicles, for example. The maximum fine for not slowing is a hefty $961. South Australia has also introduced new rules requiring motorists to slow down around emergency vehicles, with a 25km/h restriction in place from today. It also includes recovery and breakdown vehicles with flashing lights – as well as police, fire and ambulances – with a $1648 and seven demerit points penalty for failing to heed. This rule doesn't apply if you're driving along a road and the breakdown service vehicle is on the other side, or if you're driving along a road with a median strip and an emergency services vehicle is on the other side of the road beyond the median strip. Despite higher fines – and more enforceable offences – the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) described the federal government's road toll strategy as a failure in a statement made last week. The AAA provided new data revealing the 12-month period ending on May 31, 2025, was the deadliest on Australian roads. Content originally sourced from: Changes for motorists coming into effect from today – July 1, 2025 – include the use of artificial intelligence (AI) cameras nationally, an increase in fines, and new rules around emergency vehicles. The new AI cameras have been rolled out nationally with face detection to spot drivers using mobile phones, with Queensland serving up the biggest penalty of $1209 and four demerit points for offending drivers. The Sunshine State tripled its revenue from booking motorists in 2023-2024 to $464.3 million, but that hasn't stopped the Queensland Government from increasing fines and vehicle registration costs by 3.4 per cent from July 1, 2025. New South Wales (NSW) motorists will also face higher fines, with a 3.2 per cent increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. While the now $423 fine ($563 in a school zone) for using a mobile while driving in New South Wales may be less than the cost in Queensland, drivers face five demerit points (unchanged) instead of four. NSW has also turned on two of its average speed cameras – used to detect speeding heavy vehicles since 2011 – to pick up speeding cars, too. The state government switched the cameras to 'enforcement mode' on July 1 after a two-month 'warning' period of two average speed zones, which followed a 14-month trial. One is on the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes (Port Macquarie) while the other is on the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai in the state's south. All other average speed cameras in NSW remain for heavy vehicles only. Ticketless parking – introduced in many NSW council areas in 2024 – has been outlawed from July 1, 2025, after the NSW state government passed a bill late last year, deeming it 'unfair' to motorists. Fines must now be attached to the vehicle, with images of the offence sent to the Revenue NSW and parking fine data now publicly available. In Victoria, new rules around emergency vehicles start today, with motorists now having to slow to 40km/h – previously for red and blue flashing lights – around magenta and yellow flashing lights. The change is designed to improve safety of recovery crews, tow vehicle operators and other workers such as roadside assistance vehicles, for example. The maximum fine for not slowing is a hefty $961. South Australia has also introduced new rules requiring motorists to slow down around emergency vehicles, with a 25km/h restriction in place from today. It also includes recovery and breakdown vehicles with flashing lights – as well as police, fire and ambulances – with a $1648 and seven demerit points penalty for failing to heed. This rule doesn't apply if you're driving along a road and the breakdown service vehicle is on the other side, or if you're driving along a road with a median strip and an emergency services vehicle is on the other side of the road beyond the median strip. Despite higher fines – and more enforceable offences – the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) described the federal government's road toll strategy as a failure in a statement made last week. The AAA provided new data revealing the 12-month period ending on May 31, 2025, was the deadliest on Australian roads. Content originally sourced from: Changes for motorists coming into effect from today – July 1, 2025 – include the use of artificial intelligence (AI) cameras nationally, an increase in fines, and new rules around emergency vehicles. The new AI cameras have been rolled out nationally with face detection to spot drivers using mobile phones, with Queensland serving up the biggest penalty of $1209 and four demerit points for offending drivers. The Sunshine State tripled its revenue from booking motorists in 2023-2024 to $464.3 million, but that hasn't stopped the Queensland Government from increasing fines and vehicle registration costs by 3.4 per cent from July 1, 2025. New South Wales (NSW) motorists will also face higher fines, with a 3.2 per cent increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. While the now $423 fine ($563 in a school zone) for using a mobile while driving in New South Wales may be less than the cost in Queensland, drivers face five demerit points (unchanged) instead of four. NSW has also turned on two of its average speed cameras – used to detect speeding heavy vehicles since 2011 – to pick up speeding cars, too. The state government switched the cameras to 'enforcement mode' on July 1 after a two-month 'warning' period of two average speed zones, which followed a 14-month trial. One is on the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes (Port Macquarie) while the other is on the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai in the state's south. All other average speed cameras in NSW remain for heavy vehicles only. Ticketless parking – introduced in many NSW council areas in 2024 – has been outlawed from July 1, 2025, after the NSW state government passed a bill late last year, deeming it 'unfair' to motorists. Fines must now be attached to the vehicle, with images of the offence sent to the Revenue NSW and parking fine data now publicly available. In Victoria, new rules around emergency vehicles start today, with motorists now having to slow to 40km/h – previously for red and blue flashing lights – around magenta and yellow flashing lights. The change is designed to improve safety of recovery crews, tow vehicle operators and other workers such as roadside assistance vehicles, for example. The maximum fine for not slowing is a hefty $961. South Australia has also introduced new rules requiring motorists to slow down around emergency vehicles, with a 25km/h restriction in place from today. It also includes recovery and breakdown vehicles with flashing lights – as well as police, fire and ambulances – with a $1648 and seven demerit points penalty for failing to heed. This rule doesn't apply if you're driving along a road and the breakdown service vehicle is on the other side, or if you're driving along a road with a median strip and an emergency services vehicle is on the other side of the road beyond the median strip. Despite higher fines – and more enforceable offences – the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) described the federal government's road toll strategy as a failure in a statement made last week. The AAA provided new data revealing the 12-month period ending on May 31, 2025, was the deadliest on Australian roads. Content originally sourced from: Changes for motorists coming into effect from today – July 1, 2025 – include the use of artificial intelligence (AI) cameras nationally, an increase in fines, and new rules around emergency vehicles. The new AI cameras have been rolled out nationally with face detection to spot drivers using mobile phones, with Queensland serving up the biggest penalty of $1209 and four demerit points for offending drivers. The Sunshine State tripled its revenue from booking motorists in 2023-2024 to $464.3 million, but that hasn't stopped the Queensland Government from increasing fines and vehicle registration costs by 3.4 per cent from July 1, 2025. New South Wales (NSW) motorists will also face higher fines, with a 3.2 per cent increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. While the now $423 fine ($563 in a school zone) for using a mobile while driving in New South Wales may be less than the cost in Queensland, drivers face five demerit points (unchanged) instead of four. NSW has also turned on two of its average speed cameras – used to detect speeding heavy vehicles since 2011 – to pick up speeding cars, too. The state government switched the cameras to 'enforcement mode' on July 1 after a two-month 'warning' period of two average speed zones, which followed a 14-month trial. One is on the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes (Port Macquarie) while the other is on the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai in the state's south. All other average speed cameras in NSW remain for heavy vehicles only. Ticketless parking – introduced in many NSW council areas in 2024 – has been outlawed from July 1, 2025, after the NSW state government passed a bill late last year, deeming it 'unfair' to motorists. Fines must now be attached to the vehicle, with images of the offence sent to the Revenue NSW and parking fine data now publicly available. In Victoria, new rules around emergency vehicles start today, with motorists now having to slow to 40km/h – previously for red and blue flashing lights – around magenta and yellow flashing lights. The change is designed to improve safety of recovery crews, tow vehicle operators and other workers such as roadside assistance vehicles, for example. The maximum fine for not slowing is a hefty $961. South Australia has also introduced new rules requiring motorists to slow down around emergency vehicles, with a 25km/h restriction in place from today. It also includes recovery and breakdown vehicles with flashing lights – as well as police, fire and ambulances – with a $1648 and seven demerit points penalty for failing to heed. This rule doesn't apply if you're driving along a road and the breakdown service vehicle is on the other side, or if you're driving along a road with a median strip and an emergency services vehicle is on the other side of the road beyond the median strip. Despite higher fines – and more enforceable offences – the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) described the federal government's road toll strategy as a failure in a statement made last week. The AAA provided new data revealing the 12-month period ending on May 31, 2025, was the deadliest on Australian roads. Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Heavier fines and new road rules coming into force from July 1
Changes for motorists coming into effect from today – July 1, 2025 – include the use of artificial intelligence (AI) cameras nationally, an increase in fines, and new rules around emergency vehicles. The new AI cameras have been rolled out nationally with face detection to spot drivers using mobile phones, with Queensland serving up the biggest penalty of $1209 and four demerit points for offending drivers. The Sunshine State tripled its revenue from booking motorists in 2023-2024 to $464.3 million, but that hasn't stopped the Queensland Government from increasing fines and vehicle registration costs by 3.4 per cent from July 1, 2025. New South Wales (NSW) motorists will also face higher fines, with a 3.2 per cent increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. While the now $423 fine ($563 in a school zone) for using a mobile while driving in New South Wales may be less than the cost in Queensland, drivers face five demerit points (unchanged) instead of four. NSW has also turned on two of its average speed cameras – used to detect speeding heavy vehicles since 2011 – to pick up speeding cars, too. The state government switched the cameras to 'enforcement mode' on July 1 after a two-month 'warning' period of two average speed zones, which followed a 14-month trial. One is on the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes (Port Macquarie) while the other is on the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai in the state's south. All other average speed cameras in NSW remain for heavy vehicles only. Ticketless parking – introduced in many NSW council areas in 2024 – has been outlawed from July 1, 2025, after the NSW state government passed a bill late last year, deeming it 'unfair' to motorists. Fines must now be attached to the vehicle, with images of the offence sent to the Revenue NSW and parking fine data now publicly available. In Victoria, new rules around emergency vehicles start today, with motorists now having to slow to 40km/h – previously for red and blue flashing lights – around magenta and yellow flashing lights. The change is designed to improve safety of recovery crews, tow vehicle operators and other workers such as roadside assistance vehicles, for example. The maximum fine for not slowing is a hefty $961. South Australia has also introduced new rules requiring motorists to slow down around emergency vehicles, with a 25km/h restriction in place from today. It also includes recovery and breakdown vehicles with flashing lights – as well as police, fire and ambulances – with a $1648 and seven demerit points penalty for failing to heed. This rule doesn't apply if you're driving along a road and the breakdown service vehicle is on the other side, or if you're driving along a road with a median strip and an emergency services vehicle is on the other side of the road beyond the median strip. Despite higher fines – and more enforceable offences – the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) described the federal government's road toll strategy as a failure in a statement made last week. The AAA provided new data revealing the 12-month period ending on May 31, 2025, was the deadliest on Australian roads.
Perth Now
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Heavier fines and new road rules coming into force from July 1
Changes for motorists coming into effect from today – July 1, 2025 – include the use of artificial intelligence (AI) cameras nationally, an increase in fines, and new rules around emergency vehicles. The new AI cameras have been rolled out nationally with face detection to spot drivers using mobile phones, with Queensland serving up the biggest penalty of $1209 and four demerit points for offending drivers. The Sunshine State tripled its revenue from booking motorists in 2023-2024 to $464.3 million, but that hasn't stopped the Queensland Government from increasing fines and vehicle registration costs by 3.4 per cent from July 1, 2025. New South Wales (NSW) motorists will also face higher fines, with a 3.2 per cent increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert While the now $423 fine ($563 in a school zone) for using a mobile while driving in New South Wales may be less than the cost in Queensland, drivers face five demerit points (unchanged) instead of four. NSW has also turned on two of its average speed cameras – used to detect speeding heavy vehicles since 2011 – to pick up speeding cars, too. The state government switched the cameras to 'enforcement mode' on July 1 after a two-month 'warning' period of two average speed zones, which followed a 14-month trial. One is on the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes (Port Macquarie) while the other is on the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai in the state's south. All other average speed cameras in NSW remain for heavy vehicles only. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Ticketless parking – introduced in many NSW council areas in 2024 – has been outlawed from July 1, 2025, after the NSW state government passed a bill late last year, deeming it 'unfair' to motorists. Fines must now be attached to the vehicle, with images of the offence sent to the Revenue NSW and parking fine data now publicly available. In Victoria, new rules around emergency vehicles start today, with motorists now having to slow to 40km/h – previously for red and blue flashing lights – around magenta and yellow flashing lights. The change is designed to improve safety of recovery crews, tow vehicle operators and other workers such as roadside assistance vehicles, for example. The maximum fine for not slowing is a hefty $961. Supplied Credit: CarExpert South Australia has also introduced new rules requiring motorists to slow down around emergency vehicles, with a 25km/h restriction in place from today. It also includes recovery and breakdown vehicles with flashing lights – as well as police, fire and ambulances – with a $1648 and seven demerit points penalty for failing to heed. This rule doesn't apply if you're driving along a road and the breakdown service vehicle is on the other side, or if you're driving along a road with a median strip and an emergency services vehicle is on the other side of the road beyond the median strip. Despite higher fines – and more enforceable offences – the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) described the federal government's road toll strategy as a failure in a statement made last week. The AAA provided new data revealing the 12-month period ending on May 31, 2025, was the deadliest on Australian roads.
Sky News AU
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Sky News AU
Paperless parking fine tickets scrapped by NSW government in major win for drivers
The New South Wales Government is hailing a return to paper-based parking fines as a victory for commonsense as one council confirmed it would comply with the order. The unpopular system was introduced by the Coalition Government in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. At the time, it was argued it would protect parking wardens, but critics and advocates argued the measure was unfair, with many Sydneysiders finding out they had been slugged with a parking fine long after they had committed the alleged offence. The measure remained in place after COVID restrictions were rolled back in 2022. Last year, the state government passed legislation to formally outlaw the practice with the measures coming into effect on Tuesday. This was despite some councils saying the measures could expose parking wardens to violence, but state finance minister Courtney Houssos told state parliament last November the lack of deterrent was a reason to scrap the paperless system. Under the return to paper based ticketing, wardens are required to attach a parking fine notification to the window of the vehicle, and a screenshot sent to Revenue NSW, with the driver allowed to see the ticket if it is requested by the driver. Parking fines are also required to be sent out no later than seven days after the offence if a notification was not attached to the vehicle. The state government said Revenue NSW worked with councils, the NRMA, the United Services Union and advocacy groups to ensure the technical capability to enable the reforms was done as soon as possible. They also acknowledged councils would have had to have retrained officers and to purchase handheld printing devices and cameras, something the government says was a reason for the eight month grace period between the legislation being passed and it taking effect on Tuesday. Research conducted by the Minns Government has revealed in the period from the 1 January to 30 June 2024, councils issued 435,363 ticketless fines. From 1 January to 20 June 2025, councils issued only 371,565 ticketless fines, a drop of around 15 per cent. The same research revealed that in the first half of this year, Canterbury Bankstown Council in Sydney's western suburbs, issued fewer than 6,000 ticketless fines in the first half of 2025, compared to 28,000 the year before. Comparing 2024 to 2025, the total number of fines issued by Canterbury-Bankstown dropped from 34,343 to 21,367. Sky News Australia contacted other councils across the Greater Sydney region for comment on whether they had begun to drop ticketless parking fines and whether they would comply with the change in legislation. This followed state government research that showed councils on the north shore and Northern beaches were using parking fines to top up their coffers following budget blow outs on major infrastructure projects. A spokesperson for Hornsby Shire Council, which collected over $2,000,000 in fines said they would get back. The same was also true of North Sydney council, which collected under $8.7 million in parking fines under the ticketless system. Bathurst Council in the state's Central West confirmed that they would be complying in full with the legislation, and in the past two months, had issued 17 fines. The council which collected the most parking fines was the City of Sydney Council, controlled by Lord Mayor Clover Moore. She has tussled with the state government in the past, most notably on attempts by the Minns Government plans to revive Sydney's ailing nightlife and to use part of Moore Park Golf Course for Housing. A City of Sydney spokeswoman confirmed the council would begin to issue 'paper fines' from today, 'in line with NSW government regulations'. Ms Moore had previously refused to comply, with one parking machine, near Sydney Harbour collecting over $200,000 in the past financial year, the highest in Sydney. From today, council rangers will be required to leave an on-the-spot notification for anyone fined – except in very limited circumstances. Ms Houssos said the move marked the end to the paperless ticketing system which formally ended on Tuesday. 'Today marks the end of the previous government's unfair ticketless parking fine system,' she said. 'People shouldn't be caught by a surprise parking ticket weeks after the fact. These commonsense changes bring fairness and transparency back to the system.' NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury also welcomed the fact ticketless parking fines are finally banned. 'People deserve to know when and why they're being fined — and to have a fair chance to challenge it if needed,' he said.
