Month: April 2020

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

Police have charged six people with offences under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 17 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) since the last update.
Charges:

  • About 11.15pm yesterday (Monday 6 April 2020), officers from Fairfield City Police Area Command attempted to stop a Renault hatchback, believed to be stolen, travelling east along Hollywood Drive, Lansvale. A pursuit was initiated and terminated soon after due to safety concerns. With assistance from PolAir, the vehicle was located at a petrol station on Camden Valley Way at Leppington. Police will allege the Renault rammed a Dog Unit vehicle and bollard, before the four occupants of the vehicle – two boys aged 16 and 15 and two girls aged 16 and 14 – were arrested and taken to Fairfield Police Station. All four teenagers were charged with not comply with noticed direction (COVID-19). Additionally, the driver, a 16-year-old boy, was charged with police pursuit, use weapon to prevent lawful detention, drive manner dangerous, take conveyance without consent and other traffic offences. The other three teenagers were charged with carried in conveyance and the group were refused bail to appear before a Children’s Court today (Tuesday 7 April 2020).
  • About 9.30am yesterday, police were called to a church at Toronto after reports of a break-in. Officers arrested a 26-year-old man at the scene and conveyed him to Toronto Police Station, where he was charged with break and enter and not comply with noticed direction. The man was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 2 June 2020.
  • About 11.20pm yesterday, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were at a licensed premise in Pyrmont for an unrelated matter when security advised them of a female walking on the premises who was subject to an exclusion order. Officers spoke to the woman who could not give a reasonable excuse for being out of her home. She was arrested and taken to Day St Police Station where she was charged with excluded person enter casino and not comply with noticed direction. The 39-year-old was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today.

PINs include:

  • About 8.30pm on Saturday (4 April 2020) officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were conducting a patrol in the CBD when they observed a woman who appeared to be intoxicated being assisted by a man on King Street. An ambulance was called and the woman was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for treatment. She was released early the following morning (Sunday 5 April 2020). Police conducted further inquiries and established the 27-year-old woman, a serving Senior Constable attached to Police Transport Command, and 31-year-old man had been at a nearby apartment with a 27-year-old man, a serving Senior Constable attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command, a 28-year-old man, and a 31-year-old woman. Earlier today (7 April 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command issued all five individuals with $1000 PINs for failing to comply with noticed direction.
  • About 4pm on Sunday, police were called to a Bateau Bay address after reports of a domestic incident. On arrival, officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police District located a male in his car outside the home. Following further inquiries, police established the 34-year-old male had returned from overseas on Monday 23 March 2020 and was required to be in self-isolation. The man was issued with a $1000 PIN.
  • About 2.15pm yesterday, officers from Bankstown Police Area Command were patrolling the area around Middleton Park at Yagoona when they observed a group of four males. Police spoke with the males and they were given a formal warning for breaching a ministerial direction and issued a move on direction, which they complied with. A few hours later, around 4.45pm, police were patrolling the area around Parry Park at Greenacre when they observed a group of five males, one of which they had sighted in the group at Yagoona earlier in the day. The 18-year-old teenager was issued with a $1000 PIN and the remaining four were given move on directions.
  • About 4.40pm yesterday, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command attended a business on Day Street after receiving information it was still operating. Officers spoke with the owner of the business, who was issued with a $5000 PIN, and a staff member and customer, who were each issued with $1000 PINs.
  • About 4am yesterday, police were called to Crown Street, Woolloomooloo, following reports an unknown man was kicking a door of a home. Officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command attended a short time later and spoke with the 33-year-old man, with checks revealing he was subject to a Public Health order to self-isolate while he awaited COVID-19 test results. The Surry Hills man was issued an infringement and given a move-on direction.
  • About 8.15pm yesterday, officers from Oxley Police District stopped a Toyota Kluger on Station Street, Quirindi, and spoke with the 37-year-old female driver and a 46-year-old male passenger. During a search of the vehicle, police located methylamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The man was issued a court attendance notice for possess prohibited drug and possession of equipment for administering prohibited drugs. Further inquiries revealed the woman had been given a warning about non-essential travel about 10.30am while in Muswellbrook. They were each issued with a $1000 PIN and a move-on direction.
  • About 12.50am yesterday, officers from Manning/ Great Lakes Police District spoke to a 49-year-old man standing beside his car parked at the Second Head Look Out. The man, from Dubbo, could not provide a legitimate reason for being there. He then entered his vehicle and allegedly reversed in the direction of the police vehicle, narrowly avoiding the driver’s door, before driving into a bollard and attempting to flee on foot. Police approached the man when he entered his vehicle again and refused to leave. Shortly after, the man was arrested and taken to Forster Police Station. It is alleged the man also deliberately sneezed on police and told them he had COVID-19. The man was issued a $1000 PIN and infringed for negligent driving.
  • About 1.20am yesterday officers from Sutherland Police Area Command were called to the intersection of Captain Cook Drive and Gannons Road, Woolooware, after a vehicle drove through a road closure barricade. Police spoke to a man with the vehicle who was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for leaving his Greenacre home. He was issued with a $1000 PIN.
  • About 3.40am, Lake Illawarra police were patrolling Warilla and spoke to a man on Osborne Parade. When they asked the 20-year-old man what he was doing, he allegedly said he was walking home from drinking in the park. Following inquiries, police noted that the man had been issued a warning the previous day and he was subsequently issued with a $1000 PIN.
  • About 4.35pm yesterday, officers from Bankstown Police Area Command were patrolling Parry Park at Greenacre and saw four men standing around a vehicle. One of the men, an 18-year-old, was recognised by officers as having been issued a formal warning for breaching the Public Health act, earlier in the day at Bass Hill. He was issued a $1,000 PIN for breaching the two-person rule. The other men complied with move-on directions

Since 17 March 2020, police have issued 10 Court Attendance Notices, and 122 PINs for breaches of the Public Health Act.
 

Off-duty police officers issued with Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs)

Two off-duty police officers have been issued with Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) after breaching public health orders over the weekend.
About 8.30pm on Saturday (4 April 2020) officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were conducting a patrol in Sydney’s CBD when they observed a woman who appeared to be intoxicated being assisted by a man on King Street.
The woman was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for treatment. She was released around 2am the following morning (Sunday 5 April 2020).
Police conducted further inquiries and established the 27-year-old woman, a serving Senior Constable attached to Police Transport Command, and the 31-year-old man had been at a nearby apartment at a social gathering.
A 27-year-old man, a serving Senior Constable attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command, a 28-year-old woman, and a 31-year-old woman, were also in attendance.
Earlier today (7 April 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command issued all five individuals with $1000 PINs for failing to comply with noticed direction under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW).

More funds and big tech regulation needed to save public interest journalism

The release of funding for regional media outlets is welcome but much more than $5million is needed and big tech must be forced to pay for content if public interest journalism is going to survive, the Greens say.
The Greens have been calling on Communications Minister Paul Fletcher to use the Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund to support struggling regional media outlets who’ve been pushed to the brink with COVID-19.
Greens Spokesperson for Media Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The release of funding from the Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund is welcome but $5million is not enough.
“Regional newspapers have already closed their doors across the country and many more are heading towards the same fate. The Minister needs to explain whether those who have already shut will be funded to restart their presses, and who will be eligible and how much can they receive?
“It seems the Minister has expanded the eligibility criteria yet hasn’t released all of the Fund or put additional money towards it, he should do that immediately or explain why he won’t.
“COVID-19 is the straw that’s broken the camel’s back, it isn’t the cause of the struggles of public interest journalism.
“Big tech like Facebook and Google have been ripping off small players and individual journalists for too long and they must be regulated better.
“Minister Fletcher needs to act on the ACCC Digital Platforms Inquiry recommendations now. Waiting until November for tech giants and media companies to reach a deal will mean more news outlets hit the wall.
“The Government needs to step in now and force big tech to pay for the content they use. It’s time big tech played fair, that’s what will really help keep Australian journalists in their jobs.
“The Government must also reverse its cuts to the ABC. The public broadcaster has doubled its audience in the last month and is the only news source in many regional areas and will increasingly be so in more locations if the media landscape in Australia isn’t urgently reformed.
“Strong media and journalism is vital for a robust democracy especially at a time when there is unprecedented power being exceeded by Government in the midst of this global pandemic.”

Arts, entertainment and creative industry left behind without changes to JobKeeper

The Morrison Government’s refusal to change the JobKeeper program to include more casuals will leave workers in the arts, entertainment and creative industry behind and jeopardise the recovery of the sector after COVID-19, the Greens say.
Greens Spokesperson for the Arts Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the Government was being wilfully ignorant to how the sector operates and its work structures.
“The Morrison Government needs to wake up to the value of the arts, not only for cultural and social cohesion purposes, but the $112billion it contributes to our economy each year,” she said.
“Workers in the arts, entertainment and creative industry should be valued the same as any other worker entitled to the JobKeeper payment.
“Under the proposed rules, freelancers who are commonly paid on short-term contracts and don’t have an ABN, and casuals employed for less than 12 months will miss out.
“Many hospitality and tourism workers will be in the same boat and these are industries that will also be dependent on the arts and entertainment industry for recovery.
“I urge the Government to fix this before Parliament sits on Wednesday, for the sake of hundreds of thousands of workers who will otherwise be very unfairly left behind.”

CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE: LABOR BACKS THE RIGHT DECISION

There is no rule book showing how to lead a nation through a crisis like the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Nothing we have experienced in our lives has presented such a profound challenge to our health, our economy and our way of life.
Throughout the crisis, the Labor Party has taken a constructive approach and looked for solutions, not arguments. We have and will continue to advocate in the national interest, not partisan interests.
Our aim is to help the government get the response right to save lives and protect jobs. We must carry our nation through this crisis swiftly, minimising the health impact so we can get businesses running and Australians back to work.
Then we will start the Herculean task of rebuilding our nation.
But right now, our priority is our people — their health, wellbeing and standard of living.
When the government makes the right decisions, Labor will back it, just as we did when we voted to fast-track the first economic stimulus package through parliament in a single day.
But if we believe the government has made the wrong call, such as acting too slowly on health responses and economic support, or sending Australians confused messages on social distancing, we will say so.
This is not a time for politics, but it is a time for good ideas — and no political party has a monopoly on good ideas. That’s a key element of a pluralist democracy, which should be cherished, not dismissed.
 
That is why, where Labor has seen gaps in the government’s response to the crisis, we have offered constructive suggestions.
Last week the government accepted Labor’s suggestion that where one half of a couple lost his or her job, the income threshold at which they would be eligible for assistance based on the income of their partner should increase from the current level of $48,000.
The new threshold of $79,000 will deliver relief to hundreds of thousands of low- to middle-income earners — nurses, teachers, police and aged-care workers, who would have otherwise missed out.
Likewise, Labor heard the pleas of renters worried about how to keep a roof over their heads and suggested a moratorium on residential property evictions, as well as measures to give landlords interest relief from banks on properties where their tenants have no income.
The government has embraced these measures.
Likewise, Labor advocated greater use of telehealth under Medicare after our offices were flooded with calls from older Australians worried about whether it was safe to go to their local GP.
The government again took on the advice, as it did with our concerns about the need for a boost in support for mental health services, our call to extend the COVID-19 supplement for Newstart recipients to include 230,000 students and young people and our suggestions for action on childcare.
Labor MPs have also heard from thousands of business owners who told us they did not want to have to lay off their staff.
That’s why Labor, unions and business argued for wage subsidies to keep people in work and ensure there was an ongoing relationship between workers and their employers.
After initially rejecting this idea as impractical, the government has announced its $750-a-week JobKeeper allowance. This will help the nation emerge from this crisis with a capacity to rebuild the economy more quickly.
The government deserves credit for listening to good ideas and turning them into good policy.
Labor supports the JobKeeper allowance, although we are discussing with the government ways to ensure that casuals who have been displaced by the health crisis and migrant and visa holders do not get left behind.
We are also yet to be convinced that changes to the Fair Work Act are necessary, given that wholesale change could cause unintended consequences given widespread differences in industrial awards.
Perhaps a better approach is through the Fair Work Commission, a process that has begun and should be consistent with the way employers and the trade union movement have been working together during this period.
I am sure with goodwill these issues can be worked through.
Labor is concerned that Australians should have to dip into their superannuation savings at this difficult time because it will reduce their future retirement incomes. And it would happen at a time when superannuation balances are relatively low because of the decline on stockmarkets.
Labor has also expressed concern that there were no health checks such as heat-testing for international arrivals at our airports until recently and that cruise passengers on the Ruby Princess were allowed to disperse around the country with disastrous consequences.
We also maintain the payments and investments to stimulate the economy and support people and businesses should flow as soon as possible.
As people queuing up at the Centrelink in my electorate have told me, people are out of work now and they need help now, not weeks into the future.
Some suggest the best response to the COVID-19 crisis is to balance our efforts to eradicate COVID-19 against the health of our economy, but I reject that as a false dichotomy.
The social-distancing measures are difficult but necessary and Australians are showing tremendous discipline and care for others in their compliance.
The best plan for our economy is to beat the spread of the disease and minimise the number of infections. If we think we will be doing something a week from now, unless there is a good reason, we should do it today.
On both health and economic responses, prevention is better than cure.

Making it Easier for Charities to Access JobKeeper

Charities that are registered with the national regulator will be eligible for the Morrison Government’s $130 billion JobKeeper Payment if they have suffered a 15 per cent decline in turnover as a result of the coronavirus.
Legislation to be introduced into the Parliament this week will include a concessional test for ACNC registered charities given the benefit they provide to the Australian community.
A reduced threshold at which a charity is considered to be substantially affected by the coronavirus, as compared to businesses and other not-for-profits, will support a sector which is expected to have a significant increase in demand for its services.
There are more than 57,000 charities employing more than 1.3 million Australians registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission, providing services ranging from mental health support to access to food for vulnerable Australians.
The reduced threshold follows conversations with the charity sector including ACOSS, the Salvation Army and Catholic Social Services Australia.
The JobKeeper payment will provide around 6 million workers a flat payment of $1,500 per fortnight through their employer.
The $1,500 payment is the equivalent of around 70 per cent of the national median wage.
Every arm of government and industry is working to keep Australians in jobs and businesses in business, and to build a bridge to recovery on the other side.
The Government will continue to do what it takes to ensure that Australia bounces back stronger.
Eligible businesses and charities can apply for the payment online and are able to register their interest via ato.gov.au

FREE TAFE COURSES TO SUPPORT NSW IN PANDEMIC

A suite of 21 fee-free TAFE NSW short courses are available online to assist anyone across the State who wants to upskill during the COVID-19 pandemic, following an announcement from the NSW Government today.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the pandemic response has had a dramatic effect on communities and working life, but these select courses will assist job seekers and workers looking to diversify their skills during these times.
“The NSW Government understands that circumstances have changed for a lot of people and business owners, which means the way they work and how they conduct their business has also changed,” Mr Lee said.
“The TAFE NSW fee-free accredited courses will contribute to helping businesses stay in business and people stay in jobs. It’s vital we keep people employed and ensure we have the ability to rebound when things do improve.
“We also understand that many industries are in hibernation, so using this period to upskill for the future is time well spent.”
The 21 short courses include:

  • eMarketing for Small Business;
  • Engaging Customers Using Social Media;
  • Writing and Presentation Skills;
  • Computing Skills;
  • Team Leader Skill Set; and
  • Administration Skills for Team Leaders.

TAFE NSW Managing Director Steffen Faurby said the organisation is committed to ensuring people have access to first-class, customised training to meet their needs.
“For over 130 years, TAFE NSW has been preparing the State’s workforce for the jobs of tomorrow and it is no different during this time,” Mr Faurby said.
More information, including a full list of courses, is available here or by calling 131 601.

NEXT STAGE OF SNOWY 2.0 GETS GREEN LIGHT

More than 150 new jobs will be created and $55 million injected into regional NSW, as the NSW Government gives the go-ahead for construction of the Snowy Hydro Segment Factory – the next crucial stage of the Snowy 2.0 expansion.
Deputy Premier and Member for Monaro John Barilaro said the approval of the Snowy Hydro Segment Factory was fantastic news for the region, with construction of the concrete production facility to begin within weeks.
“The Snowy Hydro Scheme is part of the folklore of the Monaro and this approval means work can get underway on a critical part of the project’s infrastructure which will provide huge benefits and job opportunities for the area,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Around 150 jobs will be created as part of the new infrastructure with many of these being entry-level positions, with all training provided.
“These opportunities couldn’t come at a better time with many in our community facing unexpected unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the planning system has a key role to play in keeping the economy moving both now and in the months ahead.
“We’re working to get shovel-ready projects out the door, to create jobs and drive investment into our local economies during these extraordinary times,” Mr Stokes said.
“This project will unlock new industry investment in regional NSW, creating 30 jobs during construction and about 125 jobs once operational.”
Construction of the factory is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The factory will manufacture more than 130,000 concrete tunnel segments for use during exploratory works and once approved, as part of the main works for Snowy 2.0.
For more information visit https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/14716

FUNDING TO COMBAT ISOLATION FOR SENIORS

NSW seniors at risk of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic will be the focus of $600,000 in funding to keep our older community connected.
Acting Minister for Seniors Geoff Lee urged eligible organisations to apply for the grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.
“While more seniors are staying at home to protect their health, we do not want to create an epidemic of loneliness in our community,” Mr Lee said.
“Our most vulnerable age groups are being advised to follow social distancing rules, so face to face catch-ups and normal daily routines have become difficult.”
Applications for the Combatting Social Isolation for Seniors During COVID-19 grants program are now open until April 26.
“We want to fund innovative ideas to help seniors keep in touch by utilising phone calls, online platforms or other methods of communication,” said Mr Lee.
“With so many seniors now missing their regular social activities, we want to encourage programs which foster inclusion and encourage positive social outcomes.”
Social inclusion is a key priority of the NSW Ageing Strategy and is part of the NSW Government’s key commitment to meet the needs of our ageing population.
For more information: www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/combatting-social-isolation-for-seniors
Seniors are urged to get the latest COVID-19 information at: www.health.nsw.gov.au

NEWCASTLE ELECTORATE OFFICE UPDATE

In line with advice from the Australian Government to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, my electorate office has ceased face-to-face interactions until restrictions are lifted.
Rest assured, myself and my staff are not going anywhere. If you need help, we’re here for you.
You can contact us on Sharon.Claydon.MP@aph.gov.au or you can call my office on (02) 4926 1555 between 10am to 4pm on weekdays, if you don’t have access to email.
This measure is necessary to protect the health of my staff, so that we can keep helping you through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thank you for your understanding and patience.