Millions owed in COVID fines - but some struggle to pay them

COVID-19 data shows millions of dollars in fines for breaches of public health orders are overdue in both New South Wales and Victoria.

Anti-lockdown protestors march along Burnley Street in Richmond in Melbourne on 18 September 2021 Source: Getty

Τhe latest figures for New South Wales from late June up until now shows only $1.6 million dollars of fines has been paid out of a total value of $24 million.

But some vulnerable Australians are struggling to cover the penalty costs with legal groups calling for an improved fines system and more data to be made available.