Month: April 2020

Greens call for public ownership of Virgin

Greens leader Adam Bandt and transport spokesperson Senator Janet Rice have called for public ownership of Virgin in light of reports the airline is considering going into administration.

Before handing over any public money to the major airlines, the Greens are calling for conditions to be attached:

  • Government support being provided as an equity stake, not a loan. Given the financial position of the airlines the required equity stake would almost certainly result in public ownership.
  • Workers remaining employed and fully paid
  • A pay cut and no bonuses for executives
  • A ban on share buybacks or dividends
  • A seat for workers on the company board
  • Board seats (proportional to the equity stake) for government
  • Paying a fair share of corporate tax

Greens transport spokesperson Senator Janet Rice said:

“If public funds are used to bail out Virgin then the airline should be brought into public hands.

“Keeping airlines afloat is important to guarantee essential transport and protect jobs during and after this crisis. But the government must attach conditions to any bailout money to ensure a fair outcome for workers and some return on investment for the Australian people, rather than another handout for corporate investors.

“Privatisation has failed us. While corporate profits for the major airlines have soared over the years, the public has been paying more, and now most of Qantas and Virgin’s workforce have been stood down and left in the lurch.

“The Greens plan ensures that the government does not write a blank cheque to the airlines without prioritising our essential transport workers.”

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“If Virgin is about to go into administration, the government should bring it into public ownership.

“Public ownership of Virgin may be the only way to save jobs and ensure Australians can remain connected as we travel in a carbon-constrained world.

“If we’re spending public money, we should be getting public ownership. It’s as simple as that.

“Private companies shouldn’t feel entitled to public money when they need help, only to turn around and abandon workers in their hour of need.

“Our government likes to pretend they’re good economic managers, but forking over billions in public money without getting an ownership stake is a bad deal.”

Housing Needs A National Response With More Protection For Tenants: Greens

Australian Greens Housing spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi and Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP have said that the federal government must step up and develop a national housing policy that addresses big gaps left by the states.
Housing packages announced by state governments in recent days have largely left vulnerable renters in the lurch and failed to address the power imbalance between landlords and tenants.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi said:
“We have seen some positive steps from the states, such as moratoriums on evictions and funding for tenant advocacy services, but it’s not good enough to leave renters at the mercy of landlords.
“Measures across the board are still skewed towards landlords and leave renters behind. Leaving negotiation up to individual landlords and their tenants makes the most vulnerable tenants open to exploitation at a time when they need security and certainty.
“This power imbalance between landlords and tenants will further entrench inequality post-pandemic. This is the time to ensure a better deal for renters and the dignity of a secure home for everyone.
“Renters need confidence that if they ask for a rent-free period or for rent reductions now, they won’t be faced with rental hikes or a big debt to pay later when the pandemic is over. We need a nationwide rent freeze so no one is left behind now or later.
“The federal government has really failed here. They must immediately step up. We need an increase and expansion of Commonwealth Rent Assistance payments. The government needs to bring big banks to the table, and direct them to provide mortgage relief, with no interest accrual, a ban on foreclosures and a freeze on owners’ credit ratings,” she said.
Adam Bandt MP said:
“No one should be forced onto the streets during a pandemic. These approaches by the states are a good step towards keeping a roof over everyone’s heads through this crisis, but they need to go further.
“Even when faced with the prospect of thousands of renters being unable to pay their rent, state and territory governments have heavily weighted their response in favour of landlords.
“As it stands, renters face being saddled with thousands of dollars of debt.
“Telling renters to ‘work it out’ with their landlords doesn’t mean much when landlords hold all the cards.
“While some landlords are wondering whether their investment properties will turn a profit this year, renters are wondering whether they’ll be able to eat this week. It shouldn’t be difficult for governments to figure out who needs the most help.”

Financial support to help Australian exporters bounce back

Australian exporters impacted by the COVID-19 crisis will now have access to business-saving loans between $250,000 and $50 million under a new $500 million capital facility to be administered by Export Finance Australia.
The new COVID-19 Export Capital Facility will target loans to established and previously profitable exporters who, due to COVID-19, are unable to gain finance from commercial sources.
Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the COVID-19 Export Capital Facility would help trade-exposed businesses, including those from regional Australia and businesses in the tourism and education sectors, to get through this crisis and get to the other side.
“These are tough times for many trade-exposed businesses who have been some of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis,” Minister Birmingham said.
“Rising export costs, disruptions to supply-chains and loss of markets are some of the factors that are making it difficult for exporters to access vital commercial finance.
“We are currently in a difficult credit environment and these loans will provide a lifeline to Australian exporters to help them maintain their operations.
“This critical financial assistance will help exporters to get back on their feet through helping to re-establish markets, or provide working capital support or help exporters purchase new equipment to expand their operations.
“Helping our export sector to get access to business-saving finance is crucial to reducing job losses through this crisis and a critical part of the ultimate economic recovery.
“These business-saving loans are in addition to the significant steps our Government has already taken to support exporters and jobs across the sector to get through these incredibly tough times.”
The COVID-19 Export Capital Facility complements other initiatives to sustain exporters, and position them to rebound quickly, including the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Guarantee Scheme that will support up to $40 billion of lending to SMEs (including sole traders and not-for-profits). Under this scheme, the Government will guarantee 50 per cent of new loans issued by eligible lenders to SME up to $250,000.
In addition to the COVID-19 Export Capital Facility, Export Finance Australia will also provide assistance to its existing customers through access to credit and financial relief.
For more information on Export Finance Australia, including how to apply for finance, visit: www.exportfinance.gov.au/covid19.

Immediate COVID-19 relief for Australian media as harmonisation reform process also kicks off

The Morrison Government today announced a package of measures to help sustain Australian media businesses as they do their vital work of keeping the community informed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures include:

  • Tax Relief – A 12-month waiver of spectrum tax for commercial television and radio broadcasters
  • Investing in Regional Journalism – A $50 million Public Interest News Gathering program
  • Short-Term Red Tape Relief – Emergency suspension of content quotas in 2020
  • Harmonising Regulation to Support Australian Content – Release of an Options Paper developed by Screen Australia and the Australian Communications and Media Authority, commencing a fast-tracked consultation process on how best to support Australian stories on our screens

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said “Many Australians are doing it tough right now and the media sector is sharing that pain, especially in regional areas. Broadcasters and newspapers face significant financial pressure and COVID-19 has led to a sharp downturn in advertising revenue across the whole sector.
“We are acting to offer urgent short-term support to the media sector. At the same time we are progressing our December 2019 commitment to consult on the future framework to support Australian stories on our screens.”
The Morrison Government will provide $41 million in spectrum tax rebates, offering immediate financial relief to commercial television and radio broadcasters across Australia.
The new $50 million Public Interest News Gathering (PING) program will support public interest journalism delivered by commercial television, newspaper and radio businesses in regional Australia. PING is funded with $13.4 million in new money as well as repurposing unallocated funds from the Government’s Regional and Small Publishers Jobs and Innovation Package (RSPJIP). This responds to the ACCC’s recommendation, in its Digital Platforms Inquiry, to enhance the RSPJIP to better support high quality news, particularly in regional and remote Australia.
“The Government recognises that public interest journalism is essential in informing and strengthening local communities,” Minister Fletcher said.
COVID-19 has effectively halted production of Australian screen content, making it impossible for free-to-air and subscription television businesses to meet Australian content obligations.
“As an emergency red tape reduction measure, I have suspended Australian drama, children’s and documentary content obligations on free-to-air and subscription television for 2020. A decision will be taken before the end of this year as to whether this suspension should continue in 2021.
“It remains critically important that we have Australian voices on Australian TV, so there will be no change to the requirement for broadcasters to meet an overall 55 per cent Australian content obligation,” Minister Fletcher said.
The Government is accelerating its work to determine the future extent of Australian content obligations on free-to-air television broadcasters, and whether these should apply to streaming services. This work is critical to the future of the culturally and economically important Australian film and television production sector.
To guide this work, the Government is today releasing an Options Paper, developed by Screen Australia and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Consultation with key stakeholders, including ministerial roundtables, will occur over the next eight weeks.
“I want to thank ACMA and Screen Australia for their detailed, evidence-based study of the state of the Australian film and television sector, which carefully considers the cultural and economic importance of screen stories, the regulatory framework, and the support the Government provides to the screen sector through a range of mechanisms and policy settings,” Minister Fletcher said.
“Regulated free-to-air broadcasters are competing with unregulated digital platforms and video streaming services. It has been evident for some time – and the COVID-19 crisis has made it even more obvious – that this is not sustainable.
“These arrangements threaten the sustainability of television broadcasters – and in turn the sustainability of the film and television content production sector.
“That is why I want to seek industry feedback on the options put forward by ACMA and Screen Australia, and work with industry on a plan for the future, including how to best secure the market opportunity created by the explosion of streaming services.
“We need to re-emerge from COVID-19 with a regulatory framework suited to the twenty-first century that recognises today’s competitive landscape – where television broadcasters compete with streaming services and a myriad of other internet-based businesses – and which positions both the television sector and the content production sector for a sustainable future,” Mr Fletcher said.
More information about the measures announced today, as well as a copy of the Options Paper, can be found at www.communications.gov.au/media_package.

IMF Expects Australia’s Economic Growth to Rebound

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects economic growth in Australia to rebound despite the global economy facing a downturn “far worse than during the 2009 global financial crisis” as a result of the impact of the coronavirus crisis.
The IMF is forecasting the global economy to fall by 3.0 per cent in 2020 which compares to a fall of 0.1 per cent in 2009 at the height of the global financial crisis.
Economic growth in Australia is projected by the IMF to fall by 6.7 per cent in 2020 as the world deals with the economic fallout from the coronavirus. However, the IMF is forecasting Australia to grow by 6.1 per cent in 2021, faster than the economies of the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
The Morrison Government has taken decisive action to protect Australians and the economy from the effects of the coronavirus, with Government support for the economy totalling $320 billion or 16.4 per cent of GDP.
The $130 billion JobKeeper payment will help keep more Australians in jobs as we tackle the significant economic impact from the coronavirus. In the absence of the JobKeeper payment, Treasury estimates the unemployment rate would be 5 percentage points higher and would peak at around 15 per cent in the September quarter.
The IMF also notes that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) responded quickly to worsening risk sentiment by injecting $90 billion into the financial system to support small and medium businesses to deal with the economic challenges that are being caused by the spread of the coronavirus.
Our disciplined economic and budget management saw Standard and Poor’s last week reaffirm Australia’s AAA’s credit rating, noting that “while fiscal stimulus measures will soften the blow presented by the COVID-19 outbreak and weigh heavily on public finances in the immediate future, they won’t structurally weaken Australia’s fiscal position.”
Australia approaches this crisis from a position of economic strength. The Federal Budget returned to balance for the first time in 11 years and Australia’s debt to GDP is about a quarter of what it is in the United States or United Kingdom, and about one seventh of what it is in Japan.
Our measures are temporary, targeted and proportionate to the challenge we face and will ensure Australia bounces back stronger on the other side, without undermining the structural integrity of the budget whilst maintaining our commitment to medium term fiscal sustainability.

NSW GOVERNMENT TO BOOST RESILIENCE IN REGIONAL NSW AMID COVID-19

Vital infrastructure projects will be fast-tracked in regional NSW to help local industries, councils and communities rebuild and recover from the impacts of drought, bushfire and COVID-19.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said more than $100 million of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 stimulus package will go towards the expansion of plantation nurseries to boost production, infrastructure repairs in State forests, the rebuild of local showgrounds, and vital upgrades to regional hospitals, courthouses and Aboriginal housing.
“The NSW Government is responding to the needs of regional communities and this funding will help to protect jobs, support business, upgrade infrastructure and support the regions’ most vulnerable,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Regional NSW has done it incredibly tough over the past few years with the worst drought on record, unprecedented bushfire and now COVID-19 taking its toll, so it is important our regional communities get the backing they deserve to get them through this difficult period.
“This funding will protect vital jobs and production in forestry areas badly impacted by bushfire and deliver essential upgrades to almost 170 showgrounds around the state, where our local agriculture sector gathers to showcase produce and achievements.”
Funding committed under the COVID-19 stimulus package includes:

  • $46 million as an equity injection into Forestry Corporation to repair damaged public infrastructure, and expand Blowering and Grafton nurseries and begin planting activities in bushfire affected State forests.
  • $25 million for local councils to rebuild and refurbish infrastructure for up to 171 local showgrounds.
  • $20 million to Aboriginal Housing for minor projects and maintenance across NSW.
  • $9.5 million to Health to accelerate regional hospital minor projects and maintenance.
  • $9 million to the Stronger Communities Cluster to accelerate minor projects and maintenance on assets such as regional courthouses and correctional facilities.

For more information, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

Teenage boys charged following police pursuit – Newcastle

Two teenage boys will face court today after an alleged pursuit through Newcastle overnight.
About 3.35am today (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers from Newcastle City Police District were patrolling Parkway Avenue, Cooks Hill, when they observed a black Volvo SUV driving at speed – police will allege the vehicle was stolen from a Merewether property earlier that morning.
Police attempted to stop the vehicle for a random breath test but the vehicle drove onto Union Street and police initiated a pursuit – this was terminated a minute later due to safety concerns.
An hour later, police patrolling the area observed the black Volvo SUV travelling along Parkway Avenue, Cooks Hill, when they attempted to stop the vehicle and it drove off at speed.
A second pursuit was initiated, which continued through several streets in Cooks Hill, with the vehicle allegedly travelling at speeds of 110km/hr in a sign-posted 40km/hr zone.
At the intersection of Watt and Darby Streets, the vehicle lost control and hit a tree.
Police arrested two teenage boys – aged 14 and 15 – a short time later and they were taken to Newcastle Police Station.
The 15-year-old boy was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously and drive conveyance taken without consent of owner.
The 14-year-old boy was charged with custody of knife in public place and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
Both were refused bail to face a children’s court today (Wednesday 15 April 2020).

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

Police have charged three people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 52 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) since the last update.
Charges:

  • Just after 2pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020) officers from Inner West Police Area Command saw a man known to them on Enmore Road, Newtown. Officers were aware the man had previously been issued with two formal warnings and one $1000 PIN for failing to comply with a ministerial direction. After a short interaction the 45-year-old man was arrested and taken to Newtown Police Station, where he was charged with not comply with noticed direction. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Wednesday 15 April 2020).
  • On Monday (13 April 2020) a 52-year-old man attended Royal Prince Alfred Hospital where he was tested for COVID-19. He was told by health officials to self-isolate for 48 hours while he awaited his test results. About 1.30pm the next day (Tuesday 14 April 2020), officers attached to Eastern Beaches Police Area Command attended the man’s residence on a proactive compliance check, where they allegedly witnessed him walk out of his home. The man advised officers he was going to the shops and then to a friend’s house. When police asked him why he wasn’t self-isolating as directed, the man allegedly told officers he didn’t care, and he could leave his house whenever he wanted to. The man was arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station where he was charged with not comply with noticed direction. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Wednesday 15 April 2020).
  • At about 6.45pm on Monday (13 April 2020) saw a man walking through the Bourke township. Officers from Central North Police District asked the man why he was out of his home and he allegedly told them he was locked out and was attempting to find his keys. A short time later, just after midnight (Tuesday 14 April 2020), police sighted the man nearby. When he was questioned, police will allege he said he was helping his friend who was locked out to find his keys, in contradiction to his earlier statement. Further inquiries revealed he had already been issued with three warnings and one $1000 PIN for breaching a ministerial direction. The man was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for not comply with noticed direction and is due to appear at Bourke Local Court on 11 June 2020.

PINs include:

  • About 3.30pm on Monday (13 April 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were called to a unit complex in Distillery Drive, Pyrmont, following reports of a social gathering in breach of the public health order. On arrival, officers found a group of people at the property holding an Easter party. Five women – aged 30, 29, 27, 26 and 21 – and a 28-year-old man were issued PINs for failing to comply with noticed direction.
  • Eight people have been issued with PINs by police from Central North PD after they were found where burnouts had allegedly been conducted at Cobar last week. Police had been investigating the incident after receiving a driving complaint on Lerida Street about 11.20pm (Monday 6 April 2020). Officers found two unregistered Commodores with blown rear tyres, as well as a ute and a 4WD. They have now issued PINs to six men – one aged 18, three aged 20, two aged 25 – as well as a 16-year-old boy and a 35-year-old woman, all from Cobar.
  • About 5.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020), officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District were called to Pilot Street, Yamba, following reports of a group of youths in a vehicle creating a disturbance. Officers spoke to a 19-year-old man who said he was driving to visit friends and members of his family. He was issued with a $1000 PIN. He was also charged with breach of bail and will appear at Lismore Local Court today (Wednesday 15 April 2020).
  • A 22-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man both from Cobar have been issued with PINs for breaching a Public Health Order after they were stopped for an RBT on Lerida Road, Cobar, about 4.15pm on Monday (13 April 2020). The male driver tested negative, but neither was able to provide a reasonable excuse for travelling.
  • About 9am yesterday (14 April 2020), officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command spoke with a man on Sadleir Avenue at Heckenberg. When questioned by police, the 26-year-old man told officers he was going to see a friend for relationship advice. He was given a formal warning for failing to comply with a public health order and directed to go home. About 10 minutes later, police stopped the man again after he failed to comply and issued him with a $1000 PIN.
  • Around 1.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020) officers from Newcastle City Police District spoke with a man at Broadmeadow Railway Station. When asked by officers why he was out of his home, the 24-year-old said he was aware of the current COVID-19 restrictions but had to get out as he was sick of being at home. He was issued with a $1000 PIN.
  • About 6.15pm on Monday (13 April 2020), officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command were called to Roulstone Avenue, Belrose, after reports of youths loitering in the area. Police spoke with an 18-year-old teenager and gave him a formal warning. Further inquiries revealed he had been given warnings on two other occasions, and officers subsequently issued him with a $1000 PIN.
  • A 53-year-old man from Tharbogan and a 23-year-old man from Yoogali were spoken to by police from Central North PD after they were found at truck stop on the Mitchell Highway at about 12pm Saturday (11 April 2020). The group had been spoken to by police twice previously. The two men were issued with $1000 PINs.
  • Two men have been issued with PINs and four have been warned after police from Central North PD were told a group of people were gathered on Clugoa Street, Bourke, about 6.30am Sunday (12 April 2020). Most of the group dispersed when police arrived; however, two men, aged 18 and 26, and both from Bourke, were identified as having been warning previously and were issued with fines.
  • A 28-year-old Victorian man has been issued with a $1000 PIN after his campervan was stopped on Head Street, Forster, on Monday (13 April 2020). The man had been warned the previous day after he was found in at a camping ground at Tuncurry.
  • A 64-year-old Woollahra man has been issued with a $1000 PIN after he allegedly breached the Public Health Order when he was found on Boomerang Beach, 20km south of Forster, about midday Monday (13 April 2020). The man informed police he had been on the beach for two hours using his mobile phone.
  • A 20-year-old Parramatta man has been issued with a $1000 PIN by officers from Mt Druitt PAC after he was found drinking wine while sitting in a camping chair in a commuter carpark at North Parade, Mt Druitt, just after 1.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020). The man had been given a warning by police about 11.30am.
  • Officers from Tweed/Byron Police District stopped a Toyota van travelling on Kennedy Drive at Tweed Heads over its alleged faulty taillights about 3pm on Friday (10 April 2020). Officers spoke with the driver, a 42-year-old man, who told them he was going to visit a friend nearby. The man was issued infringement notices for driving an unregistered vehicle, not updating his licence details, no functioning break lights, and for not complying with noticed direction.
  • About 9.45pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020), officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command were called to Bunnerong Road at La Perouse, following reports of a man walking around in an intoxicated state. The 39-year-old Randwick man could not provide a reasonable excuse as to why he was not at home. Following inquiries, police discovered he had been warned for breaching the public health order on both Thursday 9 April 2020 and Sunday 12 April 2020. He was issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction.
  • Just before 2am yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020), officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command stopped a vehicle on Maroubra Road, near Mons Avenue, at Maroubra and spoke with the driver, a 29-year-old man. The man told officers he was driving to Wollongong for a visit. He was issued a PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction.
  • About 1.10am yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020), officers from Murray River Police District were patrolling the Albury area when they spoke with a 30-year-old man near on Creek Street. The man could not provide a reasonable excuse as to why he was not at home and was issued a PIN.
  • About 11.45pm on Monday (13 April 2020), officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command noticed a Ford Fiesta allegedly travelling over the speed limit on Mandarin Street, Fairfield East. The vehicle allegedly failed to stop for officers and a pursuit was initiated. The car stopped a short distance away on Lisbon Street, where the driver and passenger, both aged 17, were arrested. A 45-year-old relative arrived at the scene and it’s alleged he became aggressive towards police. He has been charged with hindering police and is due to appear before Fairfield Local Court on Tuesday 30 June 2020. The 17-year-old driver was issued with Traffic Infringement Notices for Learner Not Display L Plates as prescribed, Learner Not Accompanied by Licensed Driver, Class A Motor Vehicle exceed Speed Limit – Over 20 km/h. Both 17-year-olds were also issued $1000 PINS in relation to the Public Health Act.
  • About 3.30pm on Sunday (12 April 2020), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were patrolling Parkway Avenue, Raymond Terrace, when they stopped and spoke to the occupants of a Mitsubishi Mirage sedan. The two men – aged 40 and 47 – did not have a reasonable excuse for being out and were given a warning to return home. Officers stopped the vehicle again a short time later after they failed to comply with this direction and issued both men with PINs.
  • About 8.30pm on Friday (10 April 2020), officers from Port Stephens Highway Patrol were patrolling Kingston parade, Heatherbrae, when they stopped a 31-year-old male who was not able to provide police with a reasonable excuse for his travel. He was issued with $1000 PIN.
  • About 9pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020), officers from Richmond Police District located a 30-year-old man on River Street, Ballina. The officer recognised the man from an interaction with him on Tuesday 7 April 2020, where he was warned about returning to his hometown in Maclean. The man was not able to come up with a valid excuse for being in the area, informing police that he simply preferred the location. He was issued with $1000 PIN.
  • About 12.05am yesterday (Tuesday 14 April 2020), an officer from Quakers Hill Police Area Command issued a warning to an 18-year-old man for sitting his car at Glenwood Reserve, Blacktown, without a valid reason. The man was given a move on direction to return home. About 12.30am police returned to the location and found the man had not moved. He was issued with $1000 PIN.

Since 17 March 2020, police have issued 66 Court Attendance Notices and 560 PINs for breaches of the Public Health Act.
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.

Inquiries conducted in relation to positive cases of COVID-19 at aged care facility – Caddens

Earlier today (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers from Nepean Police Area Command conducted inquiries after a health care worker at an aged care facility at Caddens tested positive to COVID-19.
Police spoke with the organization’s CEO and the facility manager, and have been provided significant information relating to possible contacts with residents and other staff, as well as workplace health and safety arrangements.
It is understood the woman was not symptomatic while at work, and was last on duty on Thursday 2 April 2020.
She was tested after this date when advised of contact with a person – not from the facility – who tested positive to COVID-19.
No further police action is expected to be required.

Escapee arrested – Cessnock

A man, who escaped yesterday from a minimum-security correctional facility at Cessnock, has been arrested.
The 30-year-old inmate was reported missing from the facility on Lindsay Street about 11.15am (Wednesday 15 April 2020).
About 6pm (Wednesday 15 April 2020), police attended Cooper Street, Cessnock after receiving information a man matching his description had been seen.
The man was arrested a short time later in King Street.
A car believed to have been used by the man has been seized.
He was taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with escape lawful custody, take and drive conveyance, disqualified driver, dishonestly obtain property by deception and resist arrest.
He has been refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 16 April 2020).