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A woman has been charged after she allegedly spat in the face of her treating doctor at Hornsby earlier this week.
On Monday 13 April 2020, a 35-year-old woman was admitted to a hospital in Hornsby where she was seeking treatment for a large laceration to her arm.
The treating emergency physician commenced treatment to her wound when she allegedly spat in his face and became aggressive.
The doctor called for assistance and the woman was treated before being released.
The incident was reported to officers at Kuring Gai Police Area Command and inquiries commenced.
About 7pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020), officers attended a home in Hornsby where they arrested the woman.
She was taken to Hornsby Police Station where she was charged with common assault.
She was given strict conditional bail and will appear in Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday 1 July 2020.

More than 1000 charity care packages have been loaded onto the Ruby Princess at Port Kembla today.
The Mission to Seafarers Port Kembla organised the care packages – containing food, soft drinks, toiletries and other items such as make-up – to be given to those on-board.
The packages have been donated from community members across the Illawarra and packed by the charity.
The NSW Police Force and the Port Authority of NSW, coordinated the delivery about 1pm today (Tuesday 14 April 2020).

Police have charged six people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 55 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) since the last update.
Charges:

• About 8.30am yesterday (Monday 13 April 2020), officers from Mid North Coast Traffic & Highway Patrol Command observed a Mitsubishi ute travelling in excess of the speed limit at Greenhill. Officers attempted to pull the car over however it allegedly failed to stop and police initiated a pursuit. The pursuit came to a stop a short time later after police deployed road spikes. The man was arrested and subjected to a roadside breath test, which returned a negative result, and a roadside drug test, which allegedly returned a positive indication to methamphetamine. Further inquiries also revealed the 32-year-old man had already been issued with three PINs for breaching a ministerial direction. He has been charged with police pursuit/not stop/drive dangerously, drive while disqualified and not comply with noticed direction. He was refused bail to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court today (Tuesday 14 April 2020).
• Just before 3pm yesterday, officers from Police Transport Command were patrolling Hurstville Railway Station when they saw a man on the upper level of a train consuming alcohol. Police spoke with the 22-year-old and during the interaction, he got into a struggle with the officers. He was arrested and taken to Sutherland Police Station, where he was charged with resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, drink alcohol on bus, ferry, train or in public area, travel without valid ticket, and not comply with noticed direction. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday 13 May 2020.
• About 10.15am yesterday, police were patrolling Canley Heights when they observed a man, who was known to them, allegedly driving a vehicle despite not holding a licence. Police spoke with the 40-year-old man, who was subsequently arrested and taken to Fairfield Police Station, where he was charged with never licensed person drive vehicle on road, use offensive language in/near public place/school, and not comply with noticed direction. He was also charged with recklessly cause grievous bodily harm in relation to an alleged assault on Wednesday 4 March 2020. He was refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court today.
• Just after midnight yesterday, police were called to Port Kembla Railway Station after security officers observed a man walking on the tracks. On arrival, police spoke with a 43-year-old man, and further inquiries revealed he was in breach of his bail conditions. He was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where he was charged with go onto or remain on running lines, not comply with noticed direction and breach of bail. He was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today.
• About 12.40am yesterday, officers from Mid North Coast Traffic & Highway Patrol were conducting patrols of South Kempsey when they stopped a vehicle for the purposes of an RBT. Police spoke with the driver and two passengers, who could not give a valid reason for being out of their homes at Port Macquarie. Further inquiries also revealed one of the passengers, a 20-year-old woman, had been warned twice previously for failing to comply with a ministerial direction. When police spoke to the woman about this, it’s alleged she attempted to flee, before making several threats towards officers. She was taken to Kempsey Police Station where she was charged with assault police officer in execution of duty, intimidate police officer in execution of duty and not comply with noticed direction. She was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Kempsey Local Court on Monday 22 June 2020.
• Yesterday, police attended an address at Canley Vale in relation to an investigation into a number of alleged vehicle thefts. A 14-year-old teenager was arrested and taken to Fairfield Police Station, where he was charged with three counts of recklessly deal with proceeds of crime, be carried in conveyance without consent of owner, dishonestly obtain property by deception and not comply with noticed direction. He was refused bail to appear at a Children’s Court today.

PINs include:

• Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District issued infringement notices to a 72-year-old man and 46-year-old woman, both from Sydney. About 5pm yesterday (Monday 13 April 2020), the pair were stopped at Dora Creek and informed police they intended to fish. They were told that fishing was not a valid reason to travel to a regional area, and were asked to move on. Officers interacted with the pair again 15-minutes later at Rocky Point Road, Eraring, and both were issued a $1000 PIN.
• About 4.40pm yesterday, officers from Richmond Police District observed four people drinking in a park at Cullen Street, Nimbin. Inquiries revealed a 27-year-old man in the group had travelled from Casino. When asked, the man told police he travelled to Nimbin because he was bored. The man also told officers that he was aware of the current ministerial direction, but that he did not believe in Coronavirus. He was issued a $1000 PIN.
• About 12.50pm yesterday, officers from Richmond Police district spoke to two men at Lake Ainsworth, Lennox Head, and warned them they were in breach of the Public Health Order. Fifteen minutes later the pair, aged 22 and 25, were spoken to again at the Pat Morton Lookout, Lennox Head, and they were both issued with a $1000 PIN.
• About 2.10pm yesterday officers from Richmond Police District spoke to a man in a hire car at a boat ramp on Riverside Drive, West Ballina. The 32-year-old failed to provide a reasonable excuse for being there and was issued a $1000 PIN. He was also served with an outstanding Firearms Prohibition Order and Weapons Prohibition Order.
• About 4.10pm yesterday, officers from Richmond Police district detected two vans with South Australian number plates at Sharpes Beach carpark, Skennars Head. A 56-year-old woman and 54-year-old man were issued move on directions, but around an hour later police returned and the pair had not moved. They were both issued a $1000 PIN.
• Just after 11.30am yesterday, officers from Fairfield City Police Area Command were patrolling near Fairfield Railway Station when they saw two men, aged 54 and 40, sitting in the nearby park. Both men could not provide a reasonable excuse for being out of their homes and were issued PINs. The 54-year-old man had also been issued a PIN on Saturday 4 April 2020.
• About 8.20am yesterday, officers from Riverina Police District stopped a car on Rosedale Road, near the Hume Highway, at Mount Adrah, and spoke with the 51-year-old male driver. The man told police he was driving back to Victoria after visiting family members nearby. He was issued a $1000 PIN.
• About 10am yesterday, officers from Fairfield City Police Area Command attended a home in Canley Vale and spoke with a 43-year-old man, who did not reside at the location. It’s alleged the man had attended the property to purchase drugs. He was issued a PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction and investigations are continuing.
• About 12.20pm yesterday, Albury police spoke with two men – aged 35 and 24 – outside a house on Eastern Circuit, East Albury. Both men stated they were at the location to inquire about a loan. When questioned about the loan, the men could not provide further information and officers explained it was not a valid reason to be out in public as they were not at a financial institution. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and police allegedly located cannabis and a knife. The older man was charged with custody of knife in public place and possess prohibited drug. Both men were issued $1000 PINs for being out of home without a reasonable excuse.
• About 9am yesterday, officers from Oxley Police District stopped a vehicle on Henry Street, Werris Creek, and spoke with the 41-year-old male driver. Checks revealed the man had been warned under the Public Health Act last week and was breaching his bail. Despite the previous warnings the man told police he thought he’d be alright this time. He was issued a Court Attendance Notice for variation application notice after breach and a $1000 PIN for breach of COVID-19 direction.
• About 9pm yesterday, officers from Central North Police District stopped a vehicle on Mitchell Street, Bourke, and spoke with the occupants – two women aged 21 and 25, and a 25-year-old man. The younger woman, who had previously received warnings under the Public Health Act, could not provide a reasonable excuse for being out again and was issued a $1000 PIN. The older woman and man were issued warnings.
• About 5.40pm, officers from Wollongong Police Transport Command, were patrolling Stuart Park, Wollongong. Police saw two men having a BBQ and drinking alcohol in the park. Checks by police were conducted that showed one of the men was given a warning the previous day for failing to comply with the Public Health Order at Central Railway Station. The 30-year-old man was issued a PIN, while the other man was given a warning.
• About 8.15am on Sunday (12 April 2020), officers from Mid North Coast Police District issued a warning to a 23-year-old woman after she was located hanging out with friends by the Macleay River at River Street, West Kempsey, and not following social distancing regulations. About 5pm the same day, the woman was found again by the same river with friends and was issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction.
• Officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command stopped a vehicle on Duri Road, West Tamworth, just after 2pm on Sunday, and spoke to the five occupants. The group told police they were hanging out and going for a drive. Subsequent checks revealed three of the five had been warned for doing the same thing on previous occasions. Police issued $1000 PINs to three men, aged 19, 21 and 24, while the other two individuals were given warnings under the Public Health Act.
• About 11.15pm on Sunday, officers from Parramatta Police Area Command stopped and spoke to a 23-year-old man at Bondi Beach car park. The man told police he had been to buy McDonalds at Mascot and wanted to get out a bit. The man later claimed that he was there to exercise despite the time of the night and the fact that he was wearing thongs. The man was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.
• About 2.45pm on Saturday (11 April 2020), officers from Riverina Police District were patrolling the Ashmont area when they stopped and spoke with a 29-year-old man on Mumford Street. During a search of the man, police located and seized prohibited drugs. The man told officers he was dropping off some fast food to a friend but had instead allegedly purchased drugs. He was issued a PIN and investigations are continuing.

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

In a NSW first, patients can opt-in to receive their COVID-19 pathology results via text message.
NSW Health Pathology’s secure automated SMS solution will see the average notification period for results halved, plus ease the pressure on busy hospital and laboratory staff.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more than 142,000 people had been tested and cleared, making it one of the highest testing rates in the world, and helping to stop the spread of the virus.
“We are able to test 5,000 patients per day, and while testing for COVID-19 only takes 6 to 8 hours from arrival of the sample at one of our specialist labs, the sheer volume has meant we haven’t been able to get results to patients quickly,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Using our new statewide SMS notification solution, patients who register will receive an automated SMS test result within six hours of the completion of the laboratory test.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the new service puts the patient first, reducing anxiety as quickly as possible and making life easier for them.
“Testing clinics are receiving thousands of calls from patients enquiring about their test results, which also puts increasing pressure on the health system,” Mr Dominello said
“By opting in to receive a text, patients can be informed of a negative result faster.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said both patients and medical professionals would benefit.
“This text indicating a negative result gives patients peace of mind and allows clinicians to dedicate more time to assisting patients who test positive,” Mr Hazzard said.
A statewide roll-out of this service in the coming weeks follows a successful pilot in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health Districts and Wollongong, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven Fever Clinics.
The SMS notification system will integrate with existing statewide security and other support infrastructure to ensure patient privacy and data integrity is maintained.
The service is only available to patients who are tested at a NSW public hospital or Fever Clinic. It is not available for patients tested by private pathology providers, however they can still access their result through their GP and in some instances My Health Record. Patients who test positive for the virus will still have their results reported immediately to their referring doctor and public health unit.
The initiative was developed in collaboration with Amazon Web Services, Deloitte Australia and Microsoft.
An enhanced Service NSW app is also being built that will provide customers with real-time updates on COVID-19 and more personalised health and non-health advice.
For the latest information on COVID-19 visit www.nsw.gov.au

NSW commercial tenants significantly impacted by COVID-19 will have greater protection from evictions with the State Government set to enact the National Cabinet Code of Conduct as part of a $440 million land tax relief package.
The measures will apply to commercial leases where the tenant is in financial distress due to COVID-19, including but not limited to shops, cafes, gyms, hairdressers, restaurants, offices, warehouses and industrial sites.
The land tax relief is expected to be divided approximately 50-50 with around $220 million going to the commercial sector and a further $220 million expected to benefit the residential sector.
Commercial landlords will be offered the land tax concession if they pass the savings on to tenants through a rent reduction.
Eligible landlords will be able to apply for a land tax concession of up to 25 per cent of their 2020 (calendar year) land tax liability on relevant properties. A further land tax deferral for any outstanding amounts for a three-month period will also be offered to landlords who claim the land tax concession.
The Government will give effect to the Code of Conduct, which will operate for a temporary period during the pandemic, and include the following key measures:

• Landlords must negotiate rent relief agreements with tenants in financial distress due to COVID-19 by applying the leasing principles in the Code;
• A ban on the termination of a lease for non-payment of rent;
• A freeze in rent increases.
• To facilitate these changes, and deliver increased mediation and advisory services to commercial parties, the NSW Small Business Commission will be bolstered with extra staff and an injection of $10 million from the $1 billion Working for NSW Fund.

The policy will apply to business tenants with a turnover of less than $50 million that experience a 30 per cent (or more) reduction in revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, in line with the Prime Minister’s announcement on 7 April.
This will include any business with annual turnover of less than $50 million who is eligible for the Commonwealth’s JobKeeper program.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet welcomed the initiatives, saying they would help businesses stay afloat and provide greater surety for tenants and landlords.
“This provides a way forward for tenants and landlords so they can reach an agreement during this difficult period and includes an incentive in the form of a land tax reduction.” Mr Perrottet said.
“I thank the many landlords who are already supporting their tenants through this period and the banks for showing flexibility with deferring loan repayments – we are all in this together and need to work together.”
Finance and Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope said the package demonstrated the need for a united effort to endure the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Breathing room on rent is one of the most frequently raised issues by businesses, and we want to ensure we protect retailers and offer landlords an incentive to do so. We also want to ensure retail tenants have more time and options,” Mr Tudehope said.
“For any small business rent is one of the biggest fixed costs, easing this burden will help operators survive and keep people employed.”
Mr Perrottet said it was important that both landlords and tenants understood that the policy only applied to those businesses significantly impacted by COVID-19.
“If your circumstances have not significantly changed you need to fulfil the terms of your existing agreement.” Mr Perrottet said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison released the National Cabinet Mandatory Code Of Conduct – SME Leasing Principles During COVID-19 on Tuesday, 7 April.
The NSW Government will seek to give legal effect to the code as soon as possible.

Residential tenants and landlords facing financial hardship due to COVID-19 will receive increased support and greater certainty from the NSW Government’s new temporary rental support measures announced today.
The six-month support package includes a moratorium on applications for forced evictions due to rental arrears for those financially disadvantaged by COVID-19, and new requirements for landlords and tenants to enter into negotiations over rental payments in good faith.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said an interim 60-day moratorium on finalising existing matters, or making new applications to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for forced evictions over rent arrears related to COVID-19, sends a clear message that the process is not optional.
“We know many people are worried about meeting their financial commitments at the moment. That is why we need more stability for tenants and landlords while the new Commonwealth income support payments are rolled-out, and landlords talk to their bank about mortgage relief,” Mr Anderson said.
Where a household is struggling to make rental payments and has suffered a loss of income equal to or greater than 25 per cent due to COVID-19, there is a new obligation to enter into negotiations with their landlord or managing agent, prior to seeking a forced end to the tenancy.
Tenants will be protected from eviction until NCAT is satisfied that negotiations have concluded. Any unpaid rent will accrue as arrears during this period.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the Government was allocating around $440 million towards rent relief in the form of land tax waivers or rebates – with the expectation that this would be split approximately evenly between business and residential landlords.
Mr Perrottet said residential landlords would be eligible for a land tax waiver or rebate of up to 25 per cent if they passed the saving on to tenants in financial distress.
“This is effectively a $220 million commitment in the residential sector from the NSW Government to help encourage both landlords and tenants to reach agreement on rent reductions during this difficult time,” Mr Perrottet said.
“It’s also important that tenants suffering financial distress as a result of COVID-19 will not be blacklisted for the accrual of rental arrears during this time.”
Mr Anderson said it was important that both landlords and tenants continued to honour existing agreements to the extent possible.
“No reasonable person wants to end a tenancy right now, which is why we are supporting renters and landlords to negotiate new temporary terms, so tenants keep a roof over their head, and landlords aren’t left without rental income for the next six-months.
“For some people this may be a daunting experience, so to boost available support we’ve announced a one-off $2.5 million boost to tenancy advocacy and advice services across the state.”
Tenants and landlords will also have access to assistance from Fair Trading and access to the NCAT to resolve matters after the end of the 60-day period:

• NSW Fair Trading’s dispute resolution service will be available to assist if the parties are unable to re-negotiate and agree on new rental arrangements, backed by Fair Trading’s existing legal powers;
• NCAT will be available to make appropriate orders in light of the current circumstances where the parties are unwilling or unable to reach an agreement and action is taken to seek an eviction;
• Action is also being taken to ensure that evictions for reasons not related to rent arrears are also stayed to minimise avoidable housing disruption and movement. The usual periods of required notice under the Residential Tenancies Act will be increased from the minimum of 30 days up to 90 days for terminations due to fixed or periodic leases ending, or other agreement breaches.
• Landlords will however continue to be able to seek to recover premises due to their own genuine hardship. Tenants will also continue to be able to apply to the Tribunal to terminate a fixed-term tenancy on the basis of hardship.
• Tenants will be protected from being added to tenancy databases (or ‘blacklists’) for breaches of agreements resulting from COVID-19 impacts.

“I encourage landlords and tenants to approach this new process with an open mind and an empathetic ear. It is important to learn about each other’s current position in order to better support each other during these extraordinary times,” Mr Anderson said.
Tenants, landlords and agents can find up to date information and resources at nsw.gov.au.

Doctors can prescribe medicines via email or fax from April 17, making it more convenient for patients to access medications from their pharmacists during the COVID-19 crisis.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said under the NSW Government changes announced today GPs and nurse practitioners will be able to send a digital image of the prescription.
“These changes are designed to make accessing your medications easier and safer, particularly for those in the community with chronic conditions,” Mr Hazzard said.
“It ensures people with compromised immune systems will not need to go to the doctor’s surgery in person and can get their script entirely through a telehealth appointment.”
Only allowing scripts to be sent by email or fax rather than via text to a pharmacist, will stop potential prescription forgery and diversion to the criminal supply chain.
The regulation amendment follows other recent changes including the strengthening of laws against people who spit or cough on health workers, including pharmacy staff.
President of the Pharmacy Guild of NSW, David Heffernan, said the new $5,000 fines send a clear message that frontline healthcare workers should be treated with respect.
“Community pharmacists and their staff are working tirelessly to put patients’ needs first, often under stressful conditions and we will be here until the end,” Mr Heffernan said.
NSW Health is also addressing the availability of prescription and over-the-counter medicines by introducing limits to ensure equitable access. Pharmacists are also able to dispense certain medications without a prescription and can stay open 24/7.
Families can also take advantage of an initiative announced earlier this year, enabling pharmacists to administer flu vaccines to anyone over 10 years of age.
Advice to pharmacists is available at Advice for community pharmacies on COVID-19.

Bushfire-affected landholders will now have access to their share of up to $209 million to help cover the cost of rebuilding boundary fences, after Deputy Premier John Barilaro today launched the NSW Government’s ‘Supporting our Neighbours’ project.
Mr Barilaro said the project, funded through the Government’s $2.3 billion COVID-19 stimulus package, would not only help farmers recover, but would provide a much-needed shot in the arm for regional economies at a critical time.
“Under this package, we will provide up to $5,000 per kilometre for the purchase of materials to rebuild existing fences adjoining public lands damaged by the summer fires, which will go a long way to helping farmers cover the cost,” Mr Barilaro said.
“This is a great opportunity for all landholders to engage the services of their local contractors at a time when supporting local businesses has never been more vital.
“This is about helping bushfire-affected communities get back on their feet and so we are doing everything we can to make sure that happens.”
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said the funding would be delivered through a one-off grant, which would also be issued retrospectively to help cover the costs already incurred by landholders.
“We know this has been a major issue for fire-affected farmers and we’ve listened to those concerns,” Mr Marshall said.
“We will have dedicated boundary fence coordinators working with farmers to identify their needs and negotiate with the public land managers to ensure money gets into farmers’ pockets as soon as possible.
“We’re encouraging landholders to use this opportunity to upgrade their fencing bordering public lands and use fire resilient materials wherever possible. Landholders who have already started rebuilding can still receive a backdated payment.”
For more information about the program visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au. Eligible landholders can apply for the program online at the LLS website, by expressing their interest for a callback service via one of the 11 regional LLS Facebook pages or by calling 1300 778 080.