The No Land Tax Party and its leader, Peter Jones, face legal action and heavy fines for failing to pay wages promised to up to 3600 people who handed out how-to-vote cards for the March state election.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched legal action in the Federal Circuit Court in Sydney.

Facing legal action: Peter Jones of the No Land Tax Party.

Mr Jones faces maximum potential penalties of between $5100 and $10,200 for each of four alleged contraventions against the Fair Work Act – a potential maximum total of $40,800. The party faces penalties of between $25,500 and $51,000 for each contravention, a potential maximum of $204,000.

The Fair Work Ombudsman received close to 1000 requests for assistance from workers who claimed they have not been paid wages promised to them for handing out how-to-vote cards for the No Land Tax Party in March.