April 2020 – Page 12

Greens move to disallow Government's attack on bargaining rights

When Parliament resumes at the foreshadowed May sitting, the Greens will move in the Senate to disallow the Government’s regulation shortening the notice required to change enterprise agreements, said Greens Leader and Industrial Relations spokesperson, Adam Bandt.
“The government is using a temporary emergency to make long-term changes to workers’ rights,” said Mr Bandt.
“I am worried about Liberal mission creep.
“The Australian people are prepared to give the government latitude to fight a health emergency, but this doesn’t give them license to take away rights for the long-term.
“Workers will be put under extreme pressure to agree in a day to changes that could last for years.
“There is no evidence this change is needed, especially given the high degree of co-operation witnessed during this crisis.
“People need a fair amount of time to seek advice about significant changes to their rights and the Greens will oppose this corporate power grab.
“Those of us who fought WorkChoices know the Liberals are no friend of workers. But to use the cover of a global pandemic to strip away workers’ rights is a gross new low.”

Save Education Jobs: Government Must Back Higher Ed Through New Funding Package

Australian Greens Senator and Education spokesperson Dr Mehreen Faruqi has said that the government must provide a new funding package for higher education to save the jobs of thousands of staff.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Across the country, universities are drawing up plans to cut staff and wages. From PhD students to career academics and professional staff, higher education workers will lose their jobs as a direct result of the government’s failure to provide support during the COVID-19 crisis.
“No higher education jobs should be lost. With universities unfairly excluded from the JobKeeper wage subsidy, the government must step up immediately to provide a new funding package. Job security on campuses must be guaranteed, ensuring that all casual staff are also retained.
“Universities are some of the most casualised workplaces in the country. Staff and students are now suffering as a result.
“Universities have been starved of adequate public funding for decades. This has led to a reliance on revenue from international student enrolments, which are now greatly at risk due to the pandemic. Significant new investment, including a minimum ten per cent boost to Commonwealth Grant Scheme funding, is essential.
“Universities with large reserves should also be prioritising staff jobs in spending what money they have. At the end of the day, universities are about people. Keeping university staff on payroll should be top of every Vice-Chancellor’s agenda in managing this crisis.
“In addition to securing jobs through emergency funding, now is the time to make university and TAFE free for all so we can rebuild as a more fair and just society after this crisis,” she said.

Greed, politicking and climate change killing Murray-Darling, Keelty report shows

The latest review into the management of the Murray-Darling Basin exposes greed, politicking and climate change are killing the nation’s biggest river system, the Greens say.
Responding to the Interim Inspector-General of Murray–Darling Basin Water Resources Mick Keelty’s report, released today, Greens Spokesperson for the Environment and Water Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“There are no jobs on a dead river. This report shows greed and vested political interests are putting the River at risk for all users and killing the River from top to bottom.
“The importance of maintaining environmental flows for the sake of the River’s survival is confirmed in this report.
“The anti-science and anti-environment agenda fanned by people like Barnaby Joyce has created misinformation and frustration amongst the community. Family farmers have been used as political pawns, while the National Party’s corporate irrigator mates are able to keep being greedy.
“The River system is under enormous stress, the Murray-Darling Basin Plan was meant to tackle the over-extraction of water from irrigation. Politics and greed have continued to hinder doing what the science and the environment needs to save the River. It’s time we got on with retuning water to the environment so the River is there into the future.
“This report proves what many of us have known for a long time – allowing the National Party to control the Water Ministry has been a recipe for disaster. They peddle lies, misinformation and have a lack of respect for the science. Morrison should take the portfolio off the National Party, and put science back in charge.”

Federal Government Guarantees Domestic Aviation Network

Qantas and Virgin Australia Groups will operate a minimum domestic network servicing the most critical metropolitan and regional routes in Australia thanks to a significant investment from the Federal Government of up to an initial $165 million.
Underwriting the cost of the network, which includes all state and territory capital cities and major regional centres such as Albury, Alice Springs, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Kalgoorlie, Mildura, Port Lincoln, Rockhampton, Tamworth, Townsville and Wagga Wagga, comes in addition to the more than $1 billion of Federal Government support for Australia’s aviation industry in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said sustaining Australia’s aviation industry is critical to protecting livelihoods and saving lives and that’s why the Government has acted again today to provide further support.
“As Australians are asked to stay home unless absolutely necessary, we are ensuring secure and affordable access for passengers who need to travel, including our essential workers such as frontline medical personnel and defence personnel, as well as supporting the movement of essential freight such as critical medicine and personal protective equipment,” Mr McCormack said.
“We know that a strong domestic aviation network is critical to Australia’s success and today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment, yet again, to maintaining connectivity during this pandemic.
“This investment will also help Australians returning from overseas, who find themselves in a different city after 14 days of mandatory quarantine, complete their journey home safely.”
This announcement complements the actions the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government has already taken to underwrite international flights to help Australians get home, as well as flights to our regional and remote communities through the $198 million Regional Airlines Network Support program announced on 28 March and the $715 million package announced on 18 March.
These arrangements will last for an initial eight weeks with a review mechanism in place, where the Government will continue to monitor the market and determine if further action is required.
We continue to support every Australian to get to the other side of this pandemic with more than $320 billion of investment, including our $130 billion JobKeeper Payment to support workers and businesses.

MORE THAN 2500 BUSINESSES APPROVED FOR GRANTS

More than 2500 small businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 have already been approved for grants of up to $10,000 in the first three days of the NSW Government’s new Small Business Support Fund.
Applications opened earlier this week, with Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello, saying getting money out the door to ensure businesses could stay in business and help keep people in jobs was vital.
“This is about providing cash quickly to eligible small businesses when they are struggling. These grants could help your local cafe or corner shop during this very difficult time,” Mr Perrottet said.
The $750 million Small Business Support Fund was announced on April 3 as part of a range of Government support, and can be used to pay for unavoidable expenses such as utility bills and council rates.
Mr Dominello said successful applicants for the grants could receive the funds in as little as five days.
“It is the Service NSW way to make the process of applying for grants as painless and efficient as possible,” Mr Dominello said.
“That’s why we asked them to deliver these grants to small businesses in their hour of need.
“Businesses in highly impacted sectors can expect to have their applications processed quickly and see money in their bank accounts within five days of approval.
“Businesses outside those industry codes will be subject to a manual assessment process which may require slightly more documentation and processing time.”
Eligible businesses must meet a range of criteria including:

Between 1-19 employees,
A turnover of more than $75,000,
A payroll below the threshold of $900,000, and
Be heavily impacted by the Covid-19 shutdowns.

Businesses will be expected to demonstrate a 75 per cent decline in turnover as a result of COVID-19, relative to an equivalent period in 2019 of at least two weeks.
Applications for the grant must be received by 1 June 2020. For more information on eligibility or to submit an application please visit www.service.nsw.gov.au

REGULATORY CHANGES TO TAKE PRESSURE OFF RATEPAYERS, BUSINESSES AND COUNCILS

The NSW Government has today made a series of regulatory changes to ensure council resources continue to be focused on frontline COVID-19 response efforts and allow councils to provide financial relief to businesses and residents.
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said the changes acknowledge that councils are redirecting resources to ensure the delivery of essential services to their communities across the State.
“Councils are playing a vital role in supporting and protecting local communities during these unprecedented times,” Mrs Hancock said.
“The changes provide councils with the flexibility to adjust to rapidly shifting circumstances.
“Importantly, they also give ratepayers more time to pay their rates notices and allows councils to provide financial support to businesses suffering from reduced cash flows or forced closure by waiving or reducing fees.”
Amendments to local government regulations include:

Allowing councils to delay sending out the first quarterly rates notice for 2020-21 and extend the payment deadline by one month;

Enabling councils to immediately waive or reduce fees for services such as food premise inspections and footpath usage for COVID-19 affected businesses, without the need to provide 28 days public notice;
Providing councils with a one-month extension to adopt their 2020-21 operational plans and budgets and submit their 2019-20 audited financial statements and annual reports. Councils will also have an extra month to submit their last quarterly budget review statement for 2019-20;
Removing the requirement for documents to be made available for inspection at council offices, if the document is published on the council’s website or available electronically; and
Removing the requirement for council notices to be advertised in newspapers and instead allow the relevant notice to be published on the council’s website.

“The NSW Government will continue to work with local councils to identify, develop and implement more measures to support them and their local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mrs Hancock said.

Teens charged with breaching public health order after police car rammed – Liverpool

Four teens will face court today charged after a police vehicle was rammed in Sydney’s south-west yesterday.
About 7.50am (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command were patrolling Liverpool CBD, when they saw two stolen vehicles – a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Honda Odyssey van – and followed them.
The vehicles stopped in traffic at the intersection of Orange Grove Road and Viscount Place and police approached them. The Honda allegedly rammed a police vehicle and mounted the median strip before mounting the kerb and hitting bollards in an attempt to flee.
The Honda driver, aged 17, attempted to run but was arrested nearby.
Two passengers, aged 14 and 17, were arrested in the Honda and three teens, aged 16, 14, and 17, were arrested in the Jeep.
They were all taken to Liverpool Police Station.
The 17-year-old male Honda driver was charged with drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not m/v), never licensed person drive vehicle on road, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, and not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19.
The 16-year-old female Jeep driver was charged with take & drive conveyance without consent of owner, driver never licensed, enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner/occupier, and not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19.
The two passengers, a 14-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, were charged with be carried in conveyance taken w/o consent of owner, and Not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19.
They were all refused bail to appear at a children’s court today (Friday 17 April 2020).
The two additional passengers, aged 17, will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
Three officers received minor injuries when the police vehicle airbags were deployed.

Update in relation to investigation under Strike Force Bast

Police have outlined the breadth of the investigation under Strike Force Bast and appealed for assistance from passengers from the last two voyages of the Ruby Princess to assist with ongoing inquiries.
Detectives from across State Crime, Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics and Marine Area Commands are conducting inquiries under Strike Force Bast surrounding the docking and disembarking of the Ruby Princess at Sydney Harbour on Thursday 19 March 2020.
The priority of the investigation is to determine whether there was criminal negligence by the company or crew relevant to health issues prevailing on the ship, as well as any actions or omissions by any other entity, including NSW or Commonwealth departments, which may have directly or indirectly related to the death of a person from COVID-19.
This would include the nature of – and deficiencies in – decision-making processes both on-board and on-shore surrounding the management of the vessel, and its crew and passengers.
Strike Force Bast will refer any and all information relevant to jurisdictional responsibilities to the Special Commission of Inquiry.
Information relevant to the circumstances surrounding the deaths of people who either contracted COVID-19 on board the vessel or through contact with a passenger will be reported to the NSW Coroner’s Court in due course.
The State Coroner will not make a decision about whether an inquest will be held until after the criminal investigation and the Special Commission of Inquiry are completed.
Information from the vessel’s voyage data recorder (black box) – which was seized last Wednesday (8 April 2020) – and believed to contain telemetry, as well as engine and systems management, and voice recordings of ship-to-shore communications, is currently undergoing forensic examination.
All necessary inquiries have been conducted on-board and, as communication has been established with the crew, there are no operational or investigative issues that would impede the vessel’s impending departure.
Further, strike force investigators are continuing to receive relevant documentation from the cruise company; the process of logging, triaging and assessing the information is ongoing.
Due to current COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in place across the globe, strike force detectives are being flexible and agile in their approach to investigations management and witness contact, which includes a strong reliance on remote communications and digital technology.
In recent days, investigators have provided a survey to the crew currently on board the vessel, which will assist with guiding relevance of information, and witness statements will be obtained remotely, as required.
Strike force investigators will also reach out in coming days to passengers from both the 24 February to 8 March and 8-19 March voyages to conduct a similar survey, which will help prioritise the order in which statements are obtained.
The manifests list passengers from across the globe, including 2995 people on the first voyage and 2647 people on the second voyage – many with travel agents as their primary contact – and at this time, investigators are making their way through the list contacting via email and text.
They will be provided a link to an online questionnaire, which will provide the information directly to Strike Force Bast. This Initial triage will assist with prioritising key witnesses for a timely investigative response.
All passengers who receive the investigator’s electronic survey request are encouraged to complete it as soon as possible.
Passengers who have not received the survey by next Friday (24 April 2020) should register their best contact details with Crime Stoppers online at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au, which will assist with establishing a direct contact within the strike force and ensuring the timely recording of relevant information.
While the rosters show many of the same crew were part of the more the 1100-strong workforce on-board for both voyages, there are numerous members who have since returned to their home country.
Given the expanse of the proposed inquiries – both in volume and distance – this may take some time to complete.
As such, Strike Force Bast may enlist the assistance of interstate and international law enforcement colleagues for liaison and to finalise statements.
These inquiries are expected to include the canvass of some 7000 people, the analysis of thousands of pages of documentation, and hundreds of hours of footage, and information may also be referred to the NSW Government’s Special Commission of Inquiry.
It is of critical importance that detectives ensure they maintain the integrity and thoroughness of this investigation – as they would any investigation – despite the current restrictions and guidelines under the Public Health Act.
Anyone who has information relevant to the investigation, including details of symptoms, illness, or medical advice during the voyage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
The community is reminded that their information is treated in strict confidence.

Breakdown of latest Public Health Act charges and Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs)

Police have charged six people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 24 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

Officers from Newcastle City Police District were patrolling when they stopped and spoke to two men near Steel Street, Newcastle West, just before 2pm (Thursday 16 April 2020). Police will allege one of the men – aged 20 – refused to provide his personal details and repeatedly used offensive language. Following checks, it was established the man had previously been warned and issued a $1000 PIN on Tuesday (14 April 2020) for breaching the Public Health Act. He was subsequently arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with use offensive language in/near public place, breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. The Clarence Town man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 17 April 2020).

About 8.30pm (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from Wollongong Police District stopped a Toyota Kluger on the Princess Highway at Figtree and spoke to the driver, a 37-year-old Victorian woman, and her two passengers, as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of GBL under Strike Force Braky. Following a subsequent search of the vehicle, police found 375ml of GBL in a water bottle, two smaller bottles also containing GBL, an electronic stun device, mobile phones and drug paraphernalia including digital scales and a glass pipe. The total estimated potential street value of the drugs is $14,400. The driver was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where she was charged with supply prohibited drug (between indictable and commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. Police will allege the woman was supplying GBL across the Wollongong area. The Bundoora woman was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today. Both passengers were given warnings for not complying with a ministerial direction.

About 3.15pm (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from the Police Transport Command were patrolling near Wollongong Railway Station, when they stopped and spoke with three men. None of them could provide a reasonable excuse to not be at home. A 19-year-old North Nowra man was charged with breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today. The two other men were issued formal warnings.

About 8am (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from Wollongong Police attempted to stop a man on a bicycle at Fairy Meadow as part of investigations into a number of nuisance calls to Triple Zero (000) made in the early hours of the morning. The 29-year-old man initially ignored direction from police, before he was stopped and searched. During the search, police found a 25cm tactical knife concealed in his pocket and a 30cm hunting knife in his backpack. He was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where he was charged with use carriage service to menace/harass/offend, custody of knife in public place – subsequent offence, breach of bail, goods in custody suspected of being stolen (mountain bike), rider not wear approved bicycle helmet, and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail and is due to appear in Wollongong Local Court today.

Just before 8am yesterday (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command saw two stolen cars – a Honda Odyssey and a Jeep Cherokee – travelling along the Hume Highway, Liverpool. Both vehicles attempted to evade police, with the Honda allegedly ramming a police car and crashing into the front entrance of a bottle shop. The occupants of both vehicles – six teenagers aged between 14 and 17 – were arrested. Four were charged with a range of offences relating to vehicle theft, drugs, traffic, and breach of bail. Two of the four were also charged with not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. Four of the teens were refused bail to appear before a children’s court today. The remaining two teens were dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

Just after 11.30am yesterday (Thursday 16 April 2020), police attached Liverpool City Proactive Crime Team spoke to a 57-year-old man on Burlison Street, Warwick Farm. Officers searched the man and his Holden utility, seizing cannabis and cash from the vehicle. He was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with drug supply, drug possession, goods in custody, dealing with proceeds of crime and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He is due to appear before Liverpool Local Court on Thursday 11 June 2020.

Yesterday’s PINs include:

About 3am, officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended a service station on Pittwater Road, Brookvale, when they saw a Holden Commodore utility at the bowser. Police spoke to the occupants – a 24-year-old Green Valley man and a 33-year-old Busby man – who could not provide police with a reasonable excuse to travel. Both men were issued $1000 PINs.

About 5.20am, officers attached to Campbelltown City Police Area Command stopped a blue Nissan Navara utility on Tamborine Drive, Minto, and spoke to three occupants. The female passenger – aged 24 – had previously been issued a PIN on Saturday 11 April 2020 for not complying with a ministerial direction. Due to the occupants being in the vehicle without a reasonable excuse, the woman was issued a second $1000 PIN for not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and two men – aged 20 and 23 – were issued warnings.

Officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District stopped a Ford Territory station wagon with four occupants on Gordon Street, Port Macquarie, about 12.50am for the purpose of a random breath test. A 21-year-old man had previously been issued a warning for breaching the Minister’s direction on Wednesday 1 April 2020, while a second man – aged 23 – and a 17-year-old girl had also been issued a warning on Thursday 9 April 2020. All four people, including a 15-year-old boy, were unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being out with each other. The two men and teenage girl were issued a $1000 PIN. The teenage boy received a warning.

About 5.15pm, officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command spoke to a man sitting with a group of other people at Little Hay Street, Haymarket. The man had previously been warned by officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command on Tuesday 7 April 2020 at Bondi for breaching the Health Act and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

Just before 4.30pm, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling Darling Harbour and spoke to a 29-year-old man sitting in the centre of a water feature using his mobile phone. The Redfern man allegedly told officers he was meditating. He had previously been issued a warning under the Ministerial Direction and was issued with a $1000 PIN.

Just after 9am, officers attached to Ryde Police Area Command spoke to a 25-year-old man at Hornsby Railway Station. He was issued a warning after telling officers he had travelled from Wyong to have lunch with his brother. About 9.45am, officers spoke to the man again on-board a train at Epping. He allegedly told them he was travelling to Central to collect money from a friend and was subsequently issued with a $1000 PIN.

About 1.50am, officers from Central West Police District were patrolling Calarie Road, Forbes, when they spoke to a 22-year-old man, who was walking on the road with alcohol bottles. When asked where he was going, police allege the man did not provide a reasonable excuse under the Public Health Act. The man was issued a $1000 PIN. Police had issued the man with a warning last Friday (10 April 2020).

About 3.30pm, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command issued a $1000 PIN to a 54-year-old man after he was found drinking alcohol in the Royal Botanical Gardens. Police had previously warned the man on Sunday (12 April 2020).

About 6pm, officers from Lake Illawarra Police District were patrolling when they stopped a 25-year-old man outside a home on Pur Pur Avenue, Lake Illawarra. He allegedly told police he was visiting a mate. Checks revealed the man had received two prior warnings on Saturday (11 April 2020) and Wednesday (15 April 2020) and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

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.

Breakdown of latest Public Health Act charges and Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs)

Police have charged five people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 25 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

Just before 1am (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command stopped and spoke to an 18-year-old man on Allen Street, near Experiment Street, Pyrmont. He allegedly told police he was going to “hang out with a mate in Kings Cross” and during a subsequent search he was allegedly found in possession of cannabis and a prescription medication. Checks revealed the man was issued a warning under the Public Health Act the day prior (Tuesday 14 April 2020). He was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. The Pyrmont man was granted conditional bail to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 8 June 2020.

About midday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), a man attended a golf club on Marsh Street, Arncliffe, and verbally threatened two employees before leaving. Officers from St George Police Area Command were notified and a short time later, a 46-year-old man was arrested at a park off the Princes Highway, Wolli Creek. He was taken to St George Police Station and charged with two counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm (personal), and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. The Parramatta man has since been taken to hospital for assessment.

Just before 1pm (Wednesday 15 April 2020) police arrested a 27-year-old man at a basketball stadium on Ralph Place, Mount Druitt following his fifth breach of ministerial directions under the Public Health Act. The man received a warning on Thursday 2 April 2020 for failing to provide a reasonable excuse for being away from home. Despite this he repeated the offence the following day (Friday 3 April 2020), then twice again last week resulting in three PINs being issued. On each occasion the man was allegedly found consuming alcohol in a public place with others. Following his arrest, the man was taken to Mount Druitt Police Station and charged with larceny, enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today (Thursday 16 April 2020).

Yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 15 April 2020), police from the Eastern Beaches Police Area Command approached a 39-year-old man who was drinking alcohol in a park on Little Bay Road, Little Bay. Checks revealed the man had been given two warnings earlier in the month for breaching isolation rules. He was issued with an infringement notice on 14 April for failing to comply with direction. The man was arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station and charged with not comply with direction. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Waverley Local Court on 1 July 2020.

About 6.20pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers from Tweed/Byron Police District attended Florence Street, Tweed Heads, after receiving information about a man who had arrived in a car acting aggressively. The man returned a positive roadside breath test, before being taken to Tweed Heads Police Station, where he allegedly refused a breath analysis. He was charged with breach of bail, refuse breath analysis, drive unregistered vehicle and unlicensed driver. The man had been issued with a $1000 PIN on 7 April 2020 for failing to comply with a ministerial direction. He was also charged with not comply with noticed direction and refused bail, to appear at Lismore Local Court today (16 April 2020).

Yesterday’s PINs include:

Infringement notices were issued to two women aged 23 and 37, about 8.30pm last night (Wednesday 15 April 2020) after police from Sydney City Police Area Command saw them sitting in a car in Sussex Street. Both women had been issued warnings in the days prior.

A 23-year-old man was issued his second infringement notice under the Public Health Act. About 7.15pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers attached to Blacktown Police Area Command saw a group of people sitting on a stairwell at Colo Lane, Blacktown. The group ran from officers, and the 23-year-old man found nearby told officers he had been going to the doctors but did not know the location of the practice or the name of the doctor. He was issued with a $1000 PIN.

A 21-year-old man was issued a fourth PIN, after being stopped by police on Lawson St Penrith. About 4.15pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), the man told officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command that he had been at a friend’s birthday. He was issued with a $1000 PIN. A passenger in his vehicle was also issued a $1000 fine.

Two people have been issued fines for travelling from Victoria to use ‘Return and Earn’ facilities. About 9.20am yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), a 61-year-old man was issued a fine after travelling from Wangaratta, Victoria, to Corowa to return cans and bottles. About 3.40pm, officers from Murray River Police District spoke to a woman also at a Corowa ‘Return and Earn’ facility, the 24-year-old had travelled from Yarrawonga, Victoria, and was issued a $1000 PIN for non-essential travel.

Four men have been issued fines, after being seen drinking in a park on Carinya Avenue, St Marys. About 1.30am yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command observed the men, aged 20, 25, 26 and 28, in Lang park and they failed to provide a reasonable excuse. All four were issued $1000 PINS and one of the men was issued a Court Attendance Notice for breaching his bail conditions.

Two women have been issued infringement notices after travelling to a caravan park at Broadwater. Officers from Richmond Police District were notified the two women, aged 19 and 29, had travelled to the caravan park from Taree. About 10.20am the pair were spoken to by police and were issued $1000 PINs for non-essential travel.

About 1.45am yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), a security guard alerted police that a group of five was climbing scaffolding on a building site at Bathurst Street, Sydney. Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command attended and spoke to five males, aged 14, 15, 16, 17 and 21, all from Kellyville. The group admitted to climbing the building with the intention of taking photos. The 21-year-old was issued an infringement for breaching the Public Health Act and trespass, while the juveniles were dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

About 5pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers from Tweed/Bryon Police District stopped a vehicle at Fawcett Street, Brunswick Heads, and spoke to the three occupants. The 20-year-old driver failed to provide a reasonable excuse for travel, telling officers he answers to a higher authority. He had previously been issued a warning under the Ministerial Direction and was issued with a $1000 PIN. The other two occupants, men aged 46 and 56, were given warnings.

About 4.20pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), a 29-year-old man was stopped by offices attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District, riding a bike. The man told police he was going to a friend’s place to “chill” and was aware of the restrictions in place. He was issued a $1000 PIN.

A two teenage boys have been issued infringements for failing to provide a reasonable excuse for being out of home at Carrington Street, Woonona. It is the second time the 15-year-old and 17-year-old have been issued $1000 PINs while visiting each other.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District issued an infringement notice to a 42-year-old man at Morisset after he was issued multiple warnings. The man was warned twice yesterday, at 3.50am and 4.30pm in different locations on the Central Coast, for being out of home without a reasonable excuse. At about 6.20pm he was issued a $1000 PIN Gateway Boulevard, Morisset.