In a move that’s set to rev up the spirits of motorists, the state government is putting the brakes on a practice that has long been a thorn in the side of drivers. For years, private parking companies have been able to access car registration details from the government, but a new legislative change is about to make that a thing of the past.
The Queensland government has announced its intention to introduce laws that will prevent private carpark operators from obtaining the personal information of vehicle owners. This decision is a significant victory for privacy advocates and motorists who have been campaigning against what they see as overreaching actions by these companies.
Under the proposed laws, the loophole that reportedly allowed private parking companies to ‘enforce’ their fines will be permanently sealed off.
It’s important to note that only government agencies and the courts have the authority to enforce fines of any nature. This means that the fines issued by private parking companies in non-gated carparks have no legal standing.
For too long, these operators have been able to request names, addresses, and car registration details from the Queensland government by claiming they were initiating legal proceedings. However, the previous government put a temporary stop to this in 2023, and now, the current administration is taking steps to make this change permanent.
Joanna Robinson, an executive at the Department of Transport and Main Roads, stated, ‘These amendments will close a loophole and bring Queensland into line with other states and territories.’
She emphasised the Queensland government’s dedication to safeguarding the personal information of its citizens, reflecting the community’s growing expectation that their data is used only for specific, legislated purposes.
The issue reached a boiling point when Brisbane residents began receiving intimidating demand notices masqueraded as legally binding fines. These notices often included additional enforcement fees, despite the parking companies having ‘no intentions of taking people to court,’ according to the Transport Minister in 2023.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads is yet to clarify when this amending legislation will be introduced to parliament, but the announcement alone has already been met with widespread approval from the public.
We’d love to hear from you, our readers. Have you had any experiences with private parking companies that you found troubling? How do you feel about this proposed legislative change? Share your thoughts and stories with the YourLifeChoices community in the comments below.
Also read: Worried your personal data is being sold? You should be
