Three people have been issued Penalty Infringement Notices after failing to self-isolate on return from Victoria.
Details of these alleged breaches are further outlined below:
– About 12pm on Saturday (25 July 2020), officers attached to Murray River Police District attended a home on Decimus Street, Deniliquin, following reports two people who had returned from Victoria on Tuesday 21 July 2020, had been seen entering a store on Cressy Street. A 33-year-old woman and 31-year-old man allegedly told police “it’s a free country”. They were both subsequently issued $1000 PINs.
– About 12pm yesterday (Sunday 26 July 2020), officers from South Coast Police District attended a home at Surf Beach, after reports a 63-year-old woman had visited a supermarket in Batemans Bay despite being directed to self-isolate after returning from Victoria. She was 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
Month: July 2020
Four charged after trying to introduce contraband to Cessnock correctional facility
Four people have been charged after allegedly attempting to introduce contraband into a correctional facility in the state’s Hunter region.
Officers from the Corrective Services NSW’s Security Operations Group North were conducting a surveillance operation at a correctional facility at Cessnock at about 1pm on Saturday (25 July 2020), when they observed a man within the grounds.
The man attempted to flee before officers detained him and contacted Hunter Valley police.
During a search of the man, police located a ball with several items secreted inside, including prescription medication, cannabis and tobacco.
Officers from Hunter Valley PD arrested the man and took him to Cessnock Police Station.
He was charged with seven offences, including supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, bring prohibited drug/plant into place of detention, unlawfully bring anything into place of detention and enter inclosed land.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court yesterday (Sunday 26 July 2020), where he was formally bail refused to appear at the same court today (Monday 27 July 2020).
Following ongoing inquiries with the CSNSW Security Operations Group North, correctives officers intercepted a vehicle on Pinchen Street, Nulkaba, at about 9.30am yesterday (Sunday 26 July 2020), where they spoke with the driver – a 28-year-old woman – and two male passengers – aged 22 and 19.
CSNSW officers detained all three persons and conducted a search of the vehicle, where they allegedly located a large quantity of prescription medication, mobile phones, cannabis, cash and a drone.
Officers contacted Hunter Valley police who arrived a short time later.
All three were arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station.
Police will allege in court that the two men were intending to use the drone to deliver contraband into the correctional facility.
The 28-year-old Bankstown woman was charged with drive motor vehicle while license suspended and a breach of bail offence. She was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 27 July 2020).
The 19-year-old Bonnyrigg man was charged with supply prohibited drug less than commercial quantity and possess prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday 26 August 2020.
The 22-year-old North Parramatta man was charged with supply prohibited drug less than commercial quantity. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday 26 August 2020.
Hunter Valley PD Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer, said local police will continue to work closely with our Correctives NSW counterparts to target crime connected with correctional facilities.
“Hunter Valley police target drug crime in our local region, which also includes assisting Correctives NSW to target and monitor illegal activity.
“Illicit drugs can cause detrimental harm inside facilities and in our communities, and all agencies will continue to work together to reduce the supply of the illegal drug trade,” Det Insp Zimmer said.
Investigations are continuing.
NSW Police Force statement on Supreme Court decision
The NSW Supreme Court has prohibited a public assembly planned for Sydney on Tuesday (28 July 2020) due to health and safety concerns associated with COVID-19.
The protest is now unauthorised.
Those thinking of attending – despite the Supreme Court decision and health advice – are strongly urged to reconsider their plans.
While the NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals to exercise their right to free speech, large-scale events, such as these, are currently subject to restrictions under the Public Health Act.
As such, police will not hesitate to take the appropriate action, if required.
Greens welcome Liberal Minister’s comments and call on Labor to join the fight.
The Greens have welcomed the intervention from NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean who has broken ranks today with the Federal Government over plans to weaken environment laws. The Greens Environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young called on the Federal Labor Party to rule out supporting the Morrison Government’s fast-track legislation that puts the environment at further risk.
“Minister Matt Kean is to be congratulated for standing up for the environment and calling out his Federal Liberal colleagues,” Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said today.
“Our environment is in crisis, habitat loss and wildlife extinction is growing. What we need is better and stronger protection for our environment, not less. Yet, the Morrison Government is trying to use the cover of Covid19 to rush through new rules that make it easier to green-light damaging and polluting projects, like new mines and big developments.
“Minister Kean has called a spade a spade; good on him.
“Our environment is under attack. Scott Morrison’s plans mean more logging, more pollution and less clean water – we must fight this, together.
“The Labor Party needs to rethink playing footsie with Scott Morrison on the environment. It’s time they stood with the Greens to protect our natural heritage and native animals properly.
“We need strong laws that protect and help restore our environment and wildlife, and an independent watchdog, with teeth, because it’s clear that the Government cannot be trusted to stand up for environment against their mining and big developer mates.
“Australians deserve better than political parties that want to play short-term politics with the future of our environment. We need strong laws and a cop on the beat to enforce them – anything less and even our koalas will be extinct.
Man charged after allegedly sexually touching a boy – Hunter Region
A man will face court next month after allegedly sexually touching a boy at a Hunter District shopping centre earlier this week.
About 10.40am on Wednesday (22 July 2020), a 16-year-old boy was in the toilets of a shopping centre at Thornton, near Maitland, when it is alleged a 75-year-old man sexually touched the boy.
The boy reported the matter to police and officers from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District commenced an investigation.
Following extensive inquiries and a public appeal, a man was arrested at a house in Beresfield about 8.30 this morning (Saturday 25 July 2020) and taken to Maitland Police Station.
He was charged with sexual touching another person without consent and incite another to sexually touch them without consent. He was released on strict conditional bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 12 August 2020.
Man in court after weapons and drugs located – Lake Macquarie
A man will face court after weapons and drugs were seized when a search warrant was executed at Lake Macquarie yesterday.
About 3.40pm (Saturday 25 July 2020), detectives attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended a property on Cessnock Parade, Sunshine. After a short struggle, the occupant, a 45-year-old man was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
During a subsequent search warrant executed at the property, officers allegedly located and seized tasers, a set of knuckle dusters, drugs and a motorcycle.
The man was taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with resist police officer in the execution of duty, three counts of possess a prohibited weapon without permit, two counts of possess prohibited drug.
The outstanding warrant was also executed, and he was charged with drive motor vehicle during disqualification period and negligent driving for an unrelated traffic matter which occurred on Monday 13 July 2020.
The man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Sunday 26 July 2020).
Inquiries are continuing.
Latest breaches of Public Health Orders across state
Police have taken legal action against several people and venues – including those involved in a Jindabyne dance party – for alleged breaches of the state’s Public Health Orders. Further action is anticipated for other alleged breaches detected in the past 24 hours.
Details of these alleged breaches are further outlined below:
– Police have issued 12 people with $1,000 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINS) following a large outdoor event in bushland near Lake Jindabyne on Friday 24 July 2020. About 11.30pm, police were called to the area, and observed a large, organised dance party attended by between 150 to 200 people. Following inquiries, officers attached to Monaro Police District handed out PINs for the offence of fail to comply with noticed direction in relation to section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 to 8 men – aged in their 20s and early 30s, and four women, aged in their 20s.
– About 3.50pm yesterday (Saturday 25 July 2020), officers attached to Wollongong Police District were conducting high-visibility inspections of licensed premises when they visited a venue on the Princes Highway in Figtree. Inside the venue, police observed a large number of patrons standing together, drinking in groups. Police will allege that the venue manager did not properly enforce the COVID-19 safety plan for the venue, and they will be issued a $5,000 PIN.
– Officers attached to the Monaro Police District attended a venue in Thredbo, just before 4.30pm yesterday and observed a number of alleged breaches to the Public Health Act. This included a breach of capacity limits for the size of the venue, including people waiting in line and not physical distancing, more than 10 persons seated per table, no COVID-Safe marshals and patrons not seated whilst socialising. Police spoke to the licensee about the issues; however, when they returned an hour later, observed further breaches occurring and people running away. The licensee was issued with two $5,000 PINS, and a travel company owner who had organised for a large number of patrons to attend the venue was issued a $5000 PIN.
– About 5.30pm yesterday, police spoke to a 63-year-old Victorian resident who drove into NSW via the Cobb Highway Bridge that adjoins Echuca, in VIC and Moama, in NSW. The man allegedly refused to provide police with identification or a permit to enter the state, stating he was a ‘sovereign citizen’. After refusing a direction to leave under the current Public Health Order, he was arrested and taken to Moama Police Station. He was charged with not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and granted conditional bail. The man, from Fyansford – near Geelong – is due to appear in Moama Local Court on Wednesday 9 September 2020. He was ordered not to re-enter NSW without a valid entry permit or exemption and returned to his vehicle on the Victorian side of the border.
– A 60-year-old man will be issued with a $1,000 PIN for allegedly failing to self-isolate as per his obligations under the Public Health Act (COVID19 Border Control). About 6.50pm yesterday, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District spoke with a man at an address on Kendall Street, Charlestown, who had just returned from a pub where he had been drinking, despite being directed to self-isolate for 14 days after returning to Newcastle from Victoria on Monday 13 July 2020.
– Yesterday, officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District conducted 19 audits of hospitality venues across the Port Macquarie Hastings Local Government area and issued three separate PINS to venues allegedly caught breaching the current Public Health Orders. At 8.45pm, the licensee of a venue on Rollands Plains Road, Telegraph Point, will be issued a $1,000 PIN after patrons were seen standing and consuming alcohol and not physical distancing, and because there was no COVID Safety Plan or COVID safety marshal present. Two food restaurants, one on Clarence Street and one on William Street in Port Macquarie will each be issued a $1,000 PIN after they were also caught allegedly not complying with a noticed direction.
– Officers from Lake Illawarra Police District also conducted an operation to inspect hospitality venues yesterday, with PINS to be issued to four of the seven venues visited. These include restaurants and hotels in Gerringong and Shellharbour who were allegedly breaching the current Public Health Orders. The alleged breaches included being overcrowded, not enforcing physical distancing, not having COVID safety marshals present, and breaching COVID Safety plans. Licensing police also assisted in the early closure of a licensed premise at Dapto in order to avoid breaches. Two arrests were made in the process for offensive conduct and failing to comply with a reasonable direction.
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.
Police appeal after girl approached – Raymond Terrace
Police are appealing for public assistance after a young girl was approached by a man at Raymond Terrace.
About 11am today (Saturday 25 July 2020), a 10-year-old girl was standing outside a home on Gwen Avenue when a man approached and asked her to come to him.
The girl refused and a short time later walked to a nearby park with her friends. The man then followed the group before taking photos of them.
A member of the public witnessed the incident and intervened, before the man left the area.
Police were alerted and officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and commenced inquiries.
They’re appealing for anyone who witnessed it, or suspicious behaviour in the area, to come forward.
The man is described as being aged in his 40s or 50s, with black hair and a receding hair line. He was wearing denim jeans and a grey/blue jacket.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact police
Latest breaches of Public Health Orders across state
A woman has been charged, another issued a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice, and further legal action is expected, after several breaches of Public Health Orders were detected by police across the state in the past 24 hours.
Details of these alleged breaches are further outlined below:
– About 11pm last night (Friday 24 July 2020), police from Monaro Police District were called to Lake Jindabyne, following reports of a loud party. Officers attended an area of bushland about 2km from the township, where they saw a large bonfire, lighting, and amplified music set up, with approximately 150-200 people gathered for a dance party. Upon seeing police, the majority of attendees ran into bushland. Details were taken from those left behind and the party was shut down, with further action likely under the Public Health Orders. Inquiries continue.
– A woman will appear in court today charged after failing to self-isolate as per her obligations under the Public Health Act (COVID19 Border Control), after being stopped by police at a western Sydney train station. Just after 4pm yesterday, officers from the Police Transport Command stopped and spoke to a 22-year-old woman at Mount Druitt Railway Station. Checks revealed, the woman was stopped at a border checkpoint at Barooga about 4am on Wednesday (22 July 2020) and refused entry, as she did not have a valid permit to enter the state. Later that day, she applied for and was granted a permit listing a Dubbo address. As per requirements under current Public Health Orders, the woman was required to self-isolate at the address for a period of 14 days, ending Wednesday 5 August 2020. The woman allegedly informed officers she had caught a train from Dubbo to Penrith on Thursday (23 July 2020), and visited a nearby shopping mall prior to being stopped at Mount Druitt. The woman was arrested for failing to comply with self-isolating restrictions and taken to Mount Druitt Police Station. She was charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 25 July 2020).
– Just before 9pm yesterday, police attended a home in Chisholm Road, Auburn, after receiving several noise complaints. Upon arrival, police saw approximately 75-100 people gathered out the front of a party – many of whom left when they saw the officers. A 39-year-old man was spoken to who allegedly told officers he was hosting a pre-wedding function. The party ceased, with penalties under the Public Health Orders anticipated.
– About 10.30pm, officers from Blacktown Police Area Command received information a large gathering was underway at a home in Earle Street, Doonside. Police attended and saw marquee tents set up in the front yard of a home, with approximately 50 people present for a wake. Officers spoke with a 44-year-old woman and have subsequently issued her with a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice for Fail to Comply Requirement Public Health Order – COVID-19.
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.
National Cabinet: Covid 19 Update
The National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response, the Victoria outbreak, easing restrictions, helping Australians prepare to go back to work in a COVID-safe environment and getting the economy moving again.
The Acting Chief Medical Officer, Paul Kelly, provided an update on the measures underway, the latest data and medical advice in relation to COVID-19.
There have been over 13,000 confirmed cases in Australia and sadly 139 people have died.
The Victorian outbreak has meant that there are now around 4,000 active cases in Australia. Daily infection rates have remained low in all states and territories, other than Victoria. Testing remains high, with more than 3.7 million tests undertaken in Australia.
National Cabinet discussed the Victorian outbreak, the health response underway and recommitted to providing as much support as necessary to Victoria. All states and territories welcomed the support that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is providing, with more than 3,100 personnel assisting with planning and logistics, testing, quarantine and control points across the country. The ADF is there to work with state and territory health responses as needed.
National Cabinet agreed to a new set of data and metrics to ensure that the Commonwealth, states and territories all have access to transparent up-to-date jurisdictional data on contact tracing, tracking and other metrics to ensure health system capacity. This will better help guide the public health response and support the coordination of efforts by the Commonwealth, states and territories.
National Cabinet recommitted to the suppression strategy for COVID-19, with the goal of no community transmission, and to the Three-Step Framework to a COVID-safe Australia. National Cabinet further recommitted to the need to adequately integrate the emergency and the health response.
We need to continue to have the right controls in place to test more people, trace those who test positive and respond to local outbreaks when they occur. These are Precedent Conditions to enable Australia to relax baseline restrictions and enable Australians to live and work in a COVID-safe economy.
Treasury Secretary Dr Steven Kennedy addressed National Cabinet and provided an economic update, including the economic and fiscal update delivered by the Treasurer this week, and the extension of the JobSeeker and JobKeeper programs. Combined with the health response, the Commonwealth economic and balance sheet measures total around $300 billion and along with the response from the state and territories of $42 billion, significant economic support is flowing into the economy. The national goal of job creation was reaffirmed with a discussion on the positive reduction in the effective unemployment rate seen from April to June.
National Cabinet will meet again on 7 August 2020.
Suppression Strategy
National Cabinet recommitted to the suppression strategy to address COVID-19. The goal remains suppression of COVID-19 until a point in time a vaccine or effective treatments are available, with the goal of no local community transmission.
National Cabinet further reaffirmed the need to adequately integrate the emergency and the health response is vitally important that the coordination of efforts continues. While this is largely occurring, National Cabinet agreed to work to strengthen these efforts, noting the support the ADF is able to provide and the need to coordinate emergency management, policing and health responses.
Streamlining environmental approvals for job-creating projects
The National Cabinet agreed to move to single-touch environmental approvals underpinned by national environmental standards for Commonwealth environmental matters.
Some states are able to transition to this system faster than others. The Commonwealth will move immediately to enter into bilateral approval agreements and interim standards with the states that are able to progress now.
We will simultaneously be developing formal national standards through further public consultation.
The National Cabinet also endorsed the list of 15 major projects for which Commonwealth environmental approvals will be fast-tracked.
For major projects at the start of the approvals process, we will target a 50 per cent reduction in Commonwealth assessment and approval times for major projects, from an average of 3.5 years to 21 months.
For major projects which are already at an advanced stage of assessment, governments will seek to progress them through the process as fast as possible and within statutory timeframes.
Joint assessment teams will work on accelerating these projects, which are worth more than $72 billion in public and private investment and will support over 66,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Transport
National Cabinet considered and agreed a Domestic Border Control Freight Movement Protocol to allow freight to move safely and efficiently across borders, and to upgrade the Protocol to an Enforceable Code by state and territory jurisdictions.
The Protocol was developed between all jurisdictions with the involvement of members of the Transport and Infrastructure Council and had previously been endorsed by the AHPPC.
National Cabinet also agreed that further work be carried out by jurisdictions on the implementation and enforcement of an industry code which, in-conjunction with the Protocol, will minimise risks and exposure to workers and the community from COVID-19.