Hoons will be slugged with bigger fines as part of a range of increased taxes, charges and penalties in the South Australian budget as Treasurer Rob Lucas tries to cover a $500 million shortfall in GST returns.
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Mr Lucas says "brainless idiots" who speed excessively or engage in other dangerous behaviour on the roads deserve to be "whacked".
Under the new measures, anyone caught speeding at 30km/h or more above the speed limit face a fine of $1472, an increase of $552.
While those who speed by 45km/h or more will be slugged $1658, up by $622.
"It's no secret the state faces a significant $517 million shortfall in GST revenue and it's imperative we seek to plug that hole in a responsible way," Mr Lucas said on Thursday.
"The government will continue to cut waste and reduce spending in lower priority areas and increase revenue, especially from people who are breaking the law."
In the 2019/20 budget, to be handed down next month, the government will also close a loophole that allows companies to pay speeding fines on behalf of staff to avoid them losing demerit points.
Companies that opt to pay the fine will now be hit with an $1800 payment, up from $300.
Mr Lucas said on average fees and charges will rise by five per cent in the budget but some increases, including public transport fares, will be limited to about two per cent.
In other revenue-raising measures, the government will increase parking fees at most public hospitals, impose higher annual exploration fees on miners and impose big increases in liquor licence fees.
Some of the largest hotels, that opt to stay open until after 5am, will be asked to pay an annual fee of $30,550, up from $12,312.
Liquor store chains will also be slugged with their licence fees jumping from $805 to $6900 for each outlet where they have 10 or more.
Australian Associated Press
