Month: August 2020

COVID-19 update: Action taken against two licensees, three issued PINs on NSW border

A licensee has been charged after allegedly failing to implement a COVID-19 Safety Plan, despite being warned and the business previously being issued with a $5000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN).
About 11.40am last Friday (7 August 2020) officers from Richmond Police District attended a licensed premise on the Bruxner Highway, west of Casino, to conduct a COVID-19 compliance check.
They spoke to the licensee, a 65-year-old man, who informed them he did not have a COVID-19 Safety Plan, as he was going to complete one the day before but his printer wasn’t working.
The premises was issued with a $5000 PIN for fail to comply with noticed direction, and the licensee was provided with further advice as to how to comply with the current health restrictions.
About 10.45am yesterday (Tuesday 11 August 2020) officers again attended the premises to ensure the correct practices had been put in place, however, when they arrived, the licensee was still unable to produce a COVID-19 Safety Plan.
This morning (Wednesday 12 August 2020) police returned to the premises and issued the man with a Court Attendance Notice for not comply with noticed direction.
He is due to appear at Casino Local Court on Thursday 8 October 2020.
In a separate incident, the licensee of a hotel at Tuncurry was issued with a $1000 PIN following an investigation into alleged breaches of COVID-19 Public Health Orders over the weekend.
On Saturday 8 August 2020, officers from Manning Great Lakes Police District were conducting proactive patrols when they attended the premises on Manning Street and identified a number of potential breaches.
Of note, a 21st birthday gathering was underway, which inquiries revealed had been booked for 10 people, however, numerous others were in attendance.
Further, social distancing was not being adhered to, in particular in the pub’s gaming area.
Following further inquiries, the licensee was issued with a $1000 PIN for fail to comply with noticed direction yesterday (11 August 2020).
Investigations remain underway into the planned birthday party.
Three PINs were also issued to individuals in separate incidents yesterday (Tuesday 11 August 2020):

  • A 23-year-old man was issued a $1000 PIN by officers from Murray River Police District after attempting to enter NSW for the third time without a valid permit.
  • A 65-year-old man was issued a $1000 PIN by officers from Barrier Police District after continuing through the Buronga border checkpoint despite being denied entry due to not having a valid permit.
  • A 58-year-old man was issued a $1000 PIN by officers from Murray River Police District after entering NSW without a valid permit. The man was stopped on the Hume Highway at Woomargama for the purposes of a Random Breath Test yesterday (Tuesday 11 August 2020). When spoken to by officers, he produced a Victorian licence and an invalid NSW border entry permit. He was issued a $1000 PIN, directed to leave NSW and escorted back to the Victorian border.

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.

Man dies after New Lambton crash

Police are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination after a man died following a crash at New Lambton overnight.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District have been told the man was travelling north along Lookout Road about 6.40pm (Monday 10 August 2020), when his Ford Falcon sedan crossed a median strip and into oncoming traffic.
The sedan and a Holden Colorado ute, travelling in the opposite direction, collided.
Off-duty hospital staff were driving past at the time and stopped to render assistance.
They performed CPR on the driver of the sedan, a 26-year-old man, until emergency services arrived.
The Ford driver was removed from the wreckage and taken to John Hunter Hospital; however, he died a short time later.
The driver of the ute, a 30-year-old woman from Belmont, was also taken to John Hunter Hospital where she is being treated for injuries to her left foot and right wrist.
As police continue their inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash, anyone who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact police.
A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.

TEDDY SHEEAN

Labor welcomes the Prime Minister’s concession today that Teddy Sheean is a war hero fit to be awarded a Victoria Cross (VC).
Today’s outcome is the correct decision. Teddy showed extraordinary bravery, sacrificing his own life to save and protect his comrades.
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal (DHAAT), Teddy’s family and supporters, our veteran community and all Tasmanians can all be proud that they did not give up on this fight to finally see justice for Teddy.
But it should not have taken a review of a review to do the right thing.
Earlier this year, the Minister for Defence told the Senate:
“…the government’s view is that the 2019 review by the tribunal did not present any compelling new evidence that might support reconsideration of the valour inquiry’s recommendation. That is also my view, and that is also the view of Defence.”
But we know the independent DHAAT – the most appropriate body to make such recommendations – already found new evidence and recommended that Teddy be awarded a posthumous VC.
There was never any ambiguity in the evidence they found as the Prime Minister has suggested in his announcement today.
The Prime Minister’s backflip comes only now, even after:

Labor congratulates Teddy’s family and their fellow Tasmanians who campaigned so strongly to recognise Teddy’s bravery in the way he deserves.

VICTORIAN MPS MUST BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN PARLIAMENT

Labor is calling on the Morrison Government to ensure MPs who cannot attend Federal Parliament because of COVID-19 can still contribute to debate via videolink.
The Chief Medical Officer has provided advice that Victorian MPs who want to attend Parliament will need to isolate at home or in the ACT for 14 days before sittings begin.
Labor does not dispute the medical advice but it clearly means many Victorian MPs, particularly those with caring or family responsibilities, will not be able to attend.
The Government must therefore ensure those MPs can still participate – and represent their constituents – by giving speeches, and asking and answering questions.
It has never been more important for Victorians to have their say in our Parliament. Given the medical advice, allowing Victorian MPs to contribute to debate via videolink will ensure the Victorian people can continue to have their voices heard.
For weeks Labor has been calling on the Government to put in place the arrangements that would allow Parliament to resume on August 24.
That’s why we called for a bipartisan working group with House of Representatives Speaker Tony Smith and Senate President Scott Ryan to ensure sittings could proceed.
It is disappointing Mr Morrison sought his own advice from the CMO before the working group had an opportunity to determine whether other protocols may have been possible. The working group was productive and cooperative.
Proper parliamentary scrutiny of the Morrison Government should not be a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic – particularly as it engages in the biggest spending program in Australian history.
The cancellation of Parliament should always be a last resort.
While Australians are adjusting the way they do their work or run their business to be COVID safe, it is fair that they expect their Parliament to keep working in their interests during this crisis.
 

City of Newcastle’s erosion plan for Stockton gets Ministerial green light

City of Newcastle’s long-term plan to manage erosion along Stockton’s coastline has been certified by the State Government.
This sees Newcastle become the first in NSW to have a coastal management program (CMP) confirmed under the Government’s new coastal management framework.
With the CMP included in the NSW Government Gazette published Friday, work will now begin on implementing the approved actions, including $4 million towards a sand nourishment program as well as the construction of essential infrastructure to prevent further erosion and risk to public and private assets.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the certification was the result of the immense effort of City of Newcastle staff and the community to work together on an outcome that met with the support of all relevant government agencies.
“The collaboration between City of Newcastle staff, the Stockton Community Liaison Group, agency stakeholders and the NSW Government has been essential during the preparation of the CMP,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Our shared passion and dedication to achieving a positive future for Stockton has enabled the timely development of this long-term solution for coastal erosion, which has mass sand nourishment at its core, and I thank all those involved for their commitment and genuine, cooperative approach.”
“We look forward to continuing to work with the NSW Government on addressing coastal hazards at Stockton Beach through this process and thank Minister Shelley Hancock for her continued support, and the Deputy Premier John Barilaro for his ongoing work in establishing the Stockton Beach Taskforce.”
The CMP was subject to rigorous consultation and extensive community engagement. Seventy-three per cent of community respondents indicated their support for the plan, which proposes a mix of immediate and longer-term measures to replenish the heavily eroded beach and protect Stockton’s coastal assets.
The CMP was also unanimously endorsed by the elected Council before being submitted to the State Government on 30 June this year.
Longer-term actions under the Stockton CMP include a mass offshore marine sand nourishment campaign of 2.4 million cubic metres and an ongoing 10-year maintenance program to provide the necessary protection for Stockton.
The Deputy Premier’s Stockton Beach Taskforce and the State Government will explore all opportunities to source sand for the mass offshore beach nourishment that is affordable and suitable, with the Taskforce having had its inaugural meeting on 16 June 2020.

Weekend COVID wrap: Six charged, 11 PINs issued for breaches of Public Health Orders

Police have taken legal action against 17 people and one business for non-compliance with COVID-19 Public Health Orders across the weekend.
In total, six people were charged and 11 were issued $1000 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs), while a Sydney CBD business received a $5000 PIN as part of ongoing operations in response to the pandemic.
The charges include:
Officers from South Sydney Police Area Command were alerted about 6pm on Friday (7 August 2020), after a man absconded from his room in a hotel on Jackson Drive, Mascot. Police began searching for the man and tracked him to Central Railway Station where he had caught a train north. He was tracked to Newcastle Railway Station where he was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station about 3am on Saturday (8 August 2020). The 31-year-old man, from Thurgoona, has been charged with not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and fail to comply requirement public health order – COVID-19. He was refused bail and appeared at Newcastle Bail Court on Saturday where he was formally refused bail and is next due to appear at Central Local Court on Wednesday (12 August 2020).
About 2.30pm on Saturday (8 August 2020), officers stopped a vehicle on Wood Street, Gol Gol, and spoke with the 26-year-old female driver and two passengers – a 28-year-old woman and 35-year-old man.
In a subsequent search of the car, police seized more than $64,000 cash and 62g of a crystallised substance believed to be prohibited drugs. All three occupants were arrested and taken to Dareton Police Station, where the younger woman was charged with two counts of deal with property proceeds of crime.
The older woman was charged with deal with property proceeds of crime and not comply with noticed direction. Police will allege in court that the older woman hid in the boot of the vehicle to avoid detection by NSW Police Force and Australia Defence Force officers at the George Caffey Bridge checkpoint earlier that day. Both women were granted conditional bail to appear at Wentworth Local Court on Tuesday 6 October 2020. The man was charged with deal with property proceeds of crime. He appeared at Dubbo Bail Court on Sunday (9 August 2020), where he was formally refused bail to appear at Broken Hill Local Court today (Monday 10 August 2020).
Officers from Surry Hills Police Area Command were conducting proactive patrols, when they stopped to speak with a woman who was acting suspiciously on Mary Street just before 7pm on Saturday (8 August 2020). It’s alleged the woman was aggressive toward the officers then attempted to walk away. When the officers attempted to stop her from leaving, she allegedly resisted before being arrested. During a subsequent search of the woman’s handbag, police located and seized methylamphetamine, $500 cash, and tramadol and diazepam, which were not prescribed to her. Checks revealed the woman is a Victorian resident and had been granted a transit permit in July to travel directly to Queensland.
She was taken to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, possess prohibited drug, two counts of possess prescribed restricted substance, supply prohibited drug, and not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19. She was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Court, where she was granted conditional bail to next appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday (13 August 2020).
Just after midnight yesterday (Sunday 9 August 2020), officers from Coffs/Clarence Highway Patrol stopped an unregistered Toyota Kluger outside a hotel on the Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour, and spoke to the driver – a 29-year-old woman. The driver produced a Victorian driver’s licence and while speaking to her, a 32-year-old man – known to the woman – approached the vehicle. Checks revealed the couple entered NSW on Monday 27 July 2020 on a transit permit, before staying at Port Macquarie on Sunday 2 August 2020. The pair were arrested and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where they were both charged with not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. They were refused bail and appeared at Port Macquarie Bail Court yesterday where they were granted conditional bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court today (Monday 10 August 2020).
Officers from Tweed/Byron Police District attended a home on Cecil Street, Nimbin, on Friday (7 August 2020, and spoke to a 31-year-old woman who arrived in NSW from Victoria on Saturday 1 August 2020. The woman was advised to travel direction from Albury to her Nimbin address. Checks revealed the woman had visited a friend in Maitland, stopped at Nabiac and Gosford for mechanical repairs and picked up a patient who had been discharged from Lismore Base Hospital. Following further inquiries, the woman was served a Court Attendance Notice for not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 yesterday (Sunday 9 August 2020). She is due to appear in Lismore Local Court on Monday 21 September 2020.
The PINs include:
While transiting in Sydney, the man was taken to a quarantine hotel at Chippendale before being directed to travel directly to Sydney Airport to board his international flight on Saturday (8 August 2020). It was established the man had attended a nearby building and spoke to a friend before travelling to the airport. Police were informed and attended Sydney Airport, where the man’s connecting flight had been cancelled and he was returned back to the hotel. He was subsequently issued a $1000 infringement for breaching the Public Health Order.
Just before 7pm on Saturday (8 August 2020), officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command attended a North Bondi apartment in response to noise complaints. On arrival, police requested to speak with the resident – noting loud music and noise emanating from the residence. The 30-year-old man subsequently told police he had planned a surprise party for a friend and too many guests turned up – a total of 30. He was issued a $1000 PIN and the party concluded.
After receiving information in relation to a person travelling into NSW under false pretences, police from Operation Border Closure attended a hotel at Albury, about 7pm on Saturday, and spoke with a 32-year-old woman from Melbourne and her partner, who is a NSW resident. It was established that the woman had entered NSW on a carer’s permit but neither she nor he had children with them at the hotel. Further, the woman had been in the Greater Melbourne area in recent days and therefore made a false declaration at check-in to the hotel and was not self-isolating as per permit requirements. The woman was issued a $1000 PIN and directed to return to Victoria.
About 9.30pm on Saturday, police attached to Operation Border Closure stopped a Mercedes Benz while working a checkpoint on Wodonga Place, South Albury. After speaking with the 23-year-old male driver and the 21-year-old female passenger, it was established that neither had a permit to enter NSW, and checks revealed they had attempted to cross the border at the Hume Highway about 30 minutes earlier. Police again explained the processes required for entering NSW, including permits and quarantining. The pair were subsequently issued $1000 PINs and refused entry to NSW.
About 12.50am yesterday (Sunday 9 August 2020), police stopped a vehicle on Wodonga Place, South Albury, and spoke with the 37-year-old male driver. Checks revealed the man was in breach of his permit, which stated he must self-isolate for a period of 14 days. Further inquiries revealed the man had already been turned away by police at two border checkpoints earlier in the evening. He was issued with a $1000 PIN for failing to adhere to border permit requirements.
Just before midday yesterday, police stopped a vehicle on the Newell Highway at Tocumwal and spoke with two men in the vehicle – aged 35 and 58 – who stated they had travelled across the border to pick up a car from Shepparton. The men were in possession of permits which stipulated they were only able to travel into Cobram to obtain essential goods and services. They were both issued $1000 PINs for failing to adhere to conditions of a border exemption permit.
About 9.30pm yesterday, police attached to Operation Border Closure approached a Pantech truck at the Wodonga Place checkpoint and spoke to the driver and passenger – both men aged 63 – who advised they were delivering furniture. After officers advised the men that they had been briefed about two men in a Pantech truck attempting to cross the border without permits twice that afternoon, the men provided other reasons but neither had valid permits. Both men were advised they would each be issued with $1000 PINs before being refused entry and turned around.
About 11pm on Saturday (8 August 2020), licensing police from Sydney City Police Area Command issued the owner of a licensed premises on O’Connell Street, Sydney, with a $5000 PIN for failing to comply with a ministerial direction for alleged breaches on Sunday 2 August 2020. The venue was previously issued a warning.
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.

Aged care Royal Commission must examine impact of profit making: Greens

The Greens have written to  the Prime Minister requesting that he urgently update the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety to examine the impact of profit-making corporations on the provision and quality of aged care services.
The Greens say it is a scandal that private aged care providers are making mega-profits while failing to protect their residents from the coronavirus with the sector raking in $1.7 billion in profit in the 2018-19 financial year, at the same time as many not-for-profit providers are struggling with chronic underfunding.
A survey by accounting firm StewartBrown found that in March 2020 almost two thirds of aged care providers were operating at a loss, more than at the same time the previous year and part of a continuing trend where financial viability is bringing about pressure on quality of care and the viability of services. The situation is even more challenging in rural and remote areas, leaving these older Australians particularly vulnerable.
The Greens are also calling for the inclusion in the October Budget of an urgent $3 billion investment in aged care to increase hours of care, increase the staff to resident ratios and ensure a minimum of at least one registered nurse is rostered on 24/7 in each facility.
Greens Leader, Adam Bandt said:
“It is time to rethink the privatisation of aged care.”
“Privatisation and deregulation, driven by thirty years of neoliberal ideology, have produced a perfect storm of a casualised workforce and substandard service, and it is causing heartache for residents and their families.”
“Big corporations are profiting from the misery of their residents and the failure to protect their workforce. Worse, the public is subsidising these big corporations’ mega-profits while standards of care keep slipping.”
“The Prime Minister must act. After the problems in NSW early in the Covid crisis and now in Victoria, the government is on notice that privatisation is failing older people and residents in aged care facilities across the country are particularly vulnerable,” Bandt said.
Greens spokesperson on Aged Care, Senator Rachel Siewert said:
“There must be an immediate injection of $3 billion dollars into aged care to ensure adequate nursing and staff to resident ratios ensuring proper levels of care for residents. The PM must also update the terms of reference of the Royal Commission to look at the impact of profit making corporations on this aged care scandal.”
“The next step is to implement recommendations designed to end clinical failures identified by many including a Senate inquiry in April 2019.”
“The government had plenty of time to act before Covid arrived to overwhelm a system that we already knew was failing our vulnerable older people and their families. Now they have no excuses.”
“It is an absolute scandal that while the taxpayer is propping up the giant profits of corporations,  residents and workers are not being properly protected from the coronavirus,” Siewert said.
Source quoted: https://www.stewartbrown.com.au/images/documents/StewartBrown_-_Aged_Care_Financial_Performance_Survey_Sector_March_2020.pdf

Grattan Report Shows Early Learning Investment Key To Gender Equity

The Greens have welcomed a new report from the Grattan Institute today, Cheaper childcare: A practical plan to boost female workforce participation, which illustrates that government investment to lower the cost of early learning will improve gender equity and opportunities for women’s financial independence.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Greens spokesperson on Education, said:
“Expensive childcare has held Australian women back for far too long. The reality is that child-rearing in Australia is highly gendered, and it’s women who lose independence and income when decisions have to be made about who will stay home.
“Government should invest in early learning and make it fee-free for all. This will benefit women, and it will benefit the whole community.
“Early learning and care should be recognised as a critical part of a child’s development, and funded as such by the government.
“It should be fee-free so every family can access it without barriers. It is an essential service,” she said.
Senator Larissa Waters, Greens Senate Leader and spokesperson on Women, said:
“This report confirms what women have been saying for years: childcare in Australia is unaffordable and inaccessible, and mothers, more often than not, are paying the price.
“It also highlights that fairer parental leave and workplace flexibility for both parents are needed to give families more choices when juggling caring responsibilities.
“But instead of looking at these options, the Liberal government is trying to force women back into the kitchen.
“Women are bearing the worst economic impacts from Covid, losing more jobs or hours of work than men, and performing a much higher care load.
“And our Treasurer’s response is to tell the women of Australia to have more babies to boost the economy.
“You want a real economic stimulus? Help women return to work by making childcare permanently free and making it easier for parents to share care.”

Aged Care Employee Day

Today’s Aged Care Employee Day is a timely opportunity to thank all aged care workers for their outstanding devotion to senior Australians in care.
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck said there has never been a more difficult time to work in aged care.
“The impact of COVID-19 in Victoria and New South Wales particularly has been simply tragic and devastating,” he said,
“The commitment of everyone working in the aged care sector throughout our nation has never been so vital.
“It’s important we promote and recognise excellence across the diverse and dynamic fields of endeavour in the age services sector.
“The passion and achievements of organisations, teams and individuals in the service of senior Australians is paramount as we work to increase community involvement in aged care and services.”
Minister Colbeck encouraged all Australian to reflect on the dedication and sense of duty of aged care workers.
“They devote themselves to the care of our loved ones, each and every day,” he said.
“Aged care employees deserve our gratitude and can be assured that their work is highly valued.”

NEW ONLINE TOOL FOR LIQUOR LICENCE INFORMATION

The NSW Government has launched a new online tool that will make it easier for people to search the latest liquor licence information alongside demographic, alcohol-related crime and health data for every suburb and Local Government Area in the State.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said LiveData is a game changer for governments, industry and the community.
“LiveData brings together multiple data categories from a range of government sources in one centralised, easy-to-use portal, giving everyone easy access to the latest data on liquor-related information in their local area,” Mr Dominello said.
“This will improve transparency around liquor licence applications and empower communities to respond to local challenges.”
Mr Dominello said the tool has the same data which the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority considers when it assesses applications for new liquor licences.
“This interactive tool gives stakeholders a bird’s-eye view of liquor licences so they can make more informed decisions,” Mr Dominello said.
“This will make it simpler and quicker for residents and other stakeholders to understand local alcohol-related trends if they wish to make a submission on a liquor licence application.
“The information will also help applicants develop a plan of management that provides a safe environment for patrons and addresses any concerns raised by the local community.”
LiveData can be accessed at https://livedata.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/