Man charged after pursuit – Maitland

A man will face court today, charged after a pursuit with police in Maitland overnight.
About 1.35am (Tuesday 28 April 2020), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, were patrolling the Rutherford area when they saw a Hyundai Tuscon on Harvey Road.
After turning on to the New England Highway, officers attempted to stop the Hyundai; however, it failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated, travelling through several suburbs.
At the end of Wallace Street, South Maitland, the Hyundai drove through timber fence and through the backyard of a home on Anzac Street, before colliding with a police om Bloomfield Street.
The driver, an 18-year-old man, got out and ran away before being arrested by police, after a short struggle.
He suffered minor injuries and was taken to Maitland Hospital for treatment.
During a search of the car, officers allegedly located property, believed to have been stolen.
The man was later returned to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not m/v), and resist officer in execution of duty, and breach of bail.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 28 April 2020).

Three PINs issued after alleged gathering and non-essential travel breaches – Taree

Police have issued three COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences on the Mid North Coast at the weekend.
Officers attached to Manning-Great Lakes Police District commenced an investigation into alleged breaches of the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW), which had been documented on social media.
Police have been told a group of more than 10 men were at a gathering on a rural property near Taree on Saturday 25 April, in contravention of current ministerial directions.
Following extensive inquiries, today (Monday 27 April 2020), three men – two aged 22 and one aged 24 – have been issued with $1000 PINs for failing to comply with a ministerial direction.
The 24-year-old had previously received a warning for breaching the Public Health Act.
Inquiries are continuing to identify the other persons and continue investigations.
Investigations are also continuing into other potential offences, including potential breaches of the Firearms Act (1996) at the Taree property.
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 charged after allegedly coughing on security guard – Wollongong

A man has been charged after allegedly coughing at a security officer in a government building in Wollongong earlier today.
About 9am (Monday 27 April 2020), a 48-year-old man attended a government office on Burelli Street, Wollongong.
As the man was leaving the building, he allegedly became verbally abusive towards security staff.
As a security officer directed the man to leave the premises, the man allegedly turned and coughed in his face.
Officers from Wollongong Police District attended a short time later and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A 48-year-old man was arrested outside the building and taken to Wollongong Police Station, where he was charged with assault.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in Wollongong Local Court today (Monday 27 April 2020).

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

Police have charged one person under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 23 COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charge:

  • About 2pm (Sunday 26 April 2020), a 26-year-old woman was at Nepean Hospital seeking treatment, when she allegedly became aggressive towards staff. After threatening them, the woman then allegedly spat on two nurses, two women aged 26 and 34, and a 49-year-old female doctor. Officers from Nepean Police Area Command were notified and attended the hospital. The 26-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station, where she was charged with not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID19, and common assault. The Penrith woman was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today (Monday 27 April 2020).

Yesterday’s PINs include:

  • About 1am, three men – aged 20, 21 and 23 – attended a fast food restaurant on the Princes Highway, Nowra, and sat at an indoor table together. Staff spoke to the trio and informed them the restaurant was only open for take-away meals. They refused and continued to eat their meals before leaving. Officers from South Coast Police District were patrolling nearby and after speaking to staff, police stopped their vehicle. The 20-year-old driver told police he had driven from Bexley to Sussex Inlet to buy a boat with two friends. They were each issued a $1000 PIN for non-essential travel.
  • About 1am, officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command were patrolling when they observed two males drinking alcohol on Penrith Avenue, Wheeler Heights. When approaching, it’s alleged they ran from police. Following a short foot pursuit, an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy were arrested. Officers had previously spoken to the pair two hours earlier about the current Ministerial Directions and were issued with $1000 PINs. The youth was also issued with an infringement for trespass.
  • Just after 2am, officers from Leichhardt Police Area Command were patrolling when they stopped and spoke to two men – aged 22 and 44 – on Glebe Point Road, Glebe. It’s alleged the men could not provide a reason for not being home. Checks revealed the younger man has previously been issued two warnings and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN. The older man was issued a warning.
  • About 4pm, officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District were called to a unit on West High Street, Coffs Harbour, following reports of a gathering. Police spoke to a 38-year-old man who did not reside at the location. Checks revealed he was previously issued a warning on Thursday 2 April at the same location and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.
  • About 9am, officers from Riverina Police District were called to Bentley Place, Wagga Wagga, following reports a woman – armed with a tomahawk – was outside a home unit threatening the occupants – a 72-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman. Police attended and arrested a 33-year-old woman. She was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station and charged with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm (personal), destroy or damage property, and armed with intent to commit indictable offence. The woman was also issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with Ministerial Directions. She was refused bail to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court today (Monday 27 April 2020).
  • About 11.20pm, police attended a unit on Park Avenue, Kingswood, and spoke to a 36-year-old Werrington man and a 35-year-old St Marys woman. The pair allegedly told police they were at the location to visit two friends, who were the occupants of the unit. Checks revealed the man and woman had previously been issued warnings and the woman was issued a PIN last Wednesday (22 April 2020). They were subsequently issued $1000 PINs.

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.

Greens Respond to COVID-19 App

The Government’s shameful disregard for privacy continues with the release of its COVID-19 app.
“If the Government wants people to use this app, they need to put protections in law beforehand,” Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP said.
“People have very legitimate concerns about how the data will be used and where it will be stored.”
“The reported storage of the data by a US company raises real concerns. When it comes to privacy, if there’s one person I trust less than Peter Dutton, it’s Donald Trump.”
“We all want the lockdown to end, but something like this needs to be done properly because the stakes are too high. Once it’s out, the genie can’t be put back in the bottle.”
Greens Digital Rights spokesperson Nick McKim said the Government had a long and terrible track record of undermining privacy and IT blunders.
“This government has repeatedly failed to ensure the security of data it has collected, and has made an art form of deliberately releasing people’s sensitive personal information to media outlets for political gain,” Senator McKim said.
“They should immediately release the source code and relevant legislation before rolling this out to the public.”
“Peter Dutton has been dreaming of a surveillance state in Australia for years, and this app, without protections, takes him one step closer.”

COVIDSafe: New App to Slow the Spread of Coronavirus

The Australian Government today launches the new voluntary coronavirus app, COVIDSafe.
The app is an important public health initiative that will help keep you, your family, and your community safe from further spread of coronavirus through early notification of possible exposure.
“Australians are doing an extraordinary job to flatten the curve and contain the spread of the coronavirus, but we cannot be complacent,” said Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
“The Chief Medical Officer’s advice is we need the COVIDSafe app as part of the plan to save lives and save livelihoods. The more people who download this important public health app, the safer they and their family will be, the safer their community will be and the sooner we can safely lift restrictions and get back to business and do the things we love.”
The health initiative uses technology to automate and improve what state and territory health officials already do manually. COVIDSafe will speed up the process of identifying people who have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with coronavirus, quickly stopping further spread of the virus in the community.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt thanked Australians for their actions during the pandemic, and said the app is part of the three key requirements for easing restrictions: Test, Trace and Respond.
“We thank Australians for their help in adhering to the difficult but life-saving social distancing measures,” Minister Hunt said.
“We are now calling on all Australians to download the COVIDSafe app to help protect you, your family and your community from further spread of COVID-19. This will be necessary if we are to start easing some of the difficult social distancing restrictions we have had to put in place” Minister Hunt said.
“It will be one of the critical tools we will use to help protect the health of the community by quickly alerting people who may be at risk of having contact with COVID-19. If you’d been exposed, you’d want to know, wouldn’t you?”
The app has received strong support from states and territories and the health sector, which recognise it is a valuable tool that will enhance the ability to respond rapidly to local outbreaks, and the confidence to know the virus is not silently spreading throughout communities.
A new determination issued by the Minister for Health under the Biosecurity Act will ensure information provided voluntarily through the App will only be accessible for use by authorised state and territory health officials. Any other access or use will be a criminal offence.
Minister for Government Services, Stuart Robert described the App as being developed with one purpose: to stop the spread of coronavirus.
“Once installed and running, the COVIDSafe app uses Bluetooth to look for other phones that also have the app installed,” Minister Robert said.
“To be effective, users should have the app running in the background when they are coming into contact with others. Your phone does not need to be unlocked for the app to work.”
“It then securely makes a ‘digital handshake’, which notes the date and time, distance and duration of the contact. All information collected by the app is securely encrypted and stored in the app on the user’s phone. No one, not even the user, can access it.”
“Unless and until a person is diagnosed with COVID-19, no contact information collected in the app is disclosed or able to be accessed. Then, once the person agrees and uploads the data, only the relevant state or territory public health officials will have access to information. The only information they are allowed to access is that of close contacts – when a person has come within approximately 1.5 metres of another app user for 15 minutes or more – in their jurisdiction,” Minister Robert said.
Welcoming the announcement, Australian Chief Medical Officer, Brendan Murphy said COVIDSafe is set to be a major tool in streamlining the process of identifying contacts after a person tests positive for coronavirus.
“Finding out quickly means you can quarantine yourself or be treated much faster, protecting your family and friends from possible infection, and slowing the spread of the virus,” Professor Murphy said.
“Without this technology, health officials have to rely on people being able to remember who they have been around, and being able to provide contact details for those people.”
“It is important to note that only state and territory health officials will be able to use the information.”
“COVIDSafe only keeps contact information for 21 days. This covers the maximum incubation period for the virus and the time it takes for someone to be tested for COVID-19,” Professor Murphy said.
“Once the coronavirus pandemic is over, and Australia no longer needs the app, the app and the information on it will be deleted permanently. No virus, no app,” Minister Hunt said.
Coronavirus is a serious and contagious respiratory disease with symptoms including fever, a dry cough, a sore throat and shortness of breath that has infected more than 2.8 million people globally and led to 200,000 deaths. In Australia around 6,700 people have contracted coronavirus and sadly 82 people have died.
The App can be downloaded from the App stores.

$395M ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE TO SAFEGUARD COUNCIL JOBS, SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE

The NSW Government today announced a $395 million economic stimulus package to safeguard council jobs, and local services and infrastructure in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the COVID-19 crisis has hit councils hard financially and the NSW Government is determined to limit the impacts to keep more people in jobs and allow councils to deliver for communities across the State.
“Our State’s 128 local councils are a critical part of the NSW economy, especially in many regional and rural towns where they are sometimes the largest employer,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This about keeping people in jobs which will allow councils to continue to provide essential services in their communities throughout the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and bounce back faster once we come out the other side.”
The NSW Government’s local government economic stimulus package includes a $250 million increase in low-cost loans to eligible councils through the State’s borrowing facility provided by TCorp to kick-start community infrastructure projects.
This increase brings this low-cost loan facility up to $1.35 billion for the benefit of councils and their communities.
TCorp will also be offering principal and interest payments deferrals on existing council loans upon request for the next six months.
Other measures will include:

  • Up to $112.5 million from the NSW Government’s ‘Jobs for NSW’ Fund to support a Council Job Retention Allowance of $1,500 per fortnight per employee to limit job losses in the NSW local government sector. The allowance will be paid for up to three months to qualifying staff working in the NSW local government sector.
  • $32.8 million to assist councils meet the cost of the FY2020/21 increase in the Emergency Services Levy.

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said this comprehensive package safeguards valuable council jobs and ensures staff with a wide range of skills and experience can continue to serve their communities.
“This funding injection enables councils to redirect funds to critical core services and deliver much-needed financial support for local communities,” Mrs Hancock said.
“Importantly, this package builds on the NSW Government’s $82 million to support 260 council-run childcare centres and $25 million for local councils to rebuild and refurbish local showgrounds, bringing our total support for the local government sector to over half a billion dollars.”

GOVERNMENT ACTS TO SUPPORT COMMERCIAL TENANTS AND LANDLORDS, INCLUDING $440 MILLION IN TAX RELIEF

New regulations published in NSW will give immediate effect to the NSW Government’s COVID-19 rental relief measures, reflecting the National Cabinet’s Code of Conduct agreed to by all states.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the changes will support and guide tenants and landlords in negotiating agreements.
They are part of the NSW Government’s package of support for tenants and landlords which includes up to $440 million in land tax relief announced on April 13, to be split approximately 50-50 between the commercial and residential sectors.
“This is about adopting a national framework in NSW so agreements can be reached between parties and more businesses stay in business and people stay in jobs,” Mr Tudehope said.
“These new regulations require landlords to negotiate rent relief agreements with tenants in financial distress due to COVID-19 by applying the leasing principles in the National Code of Conduct.”
Mr Tudehope said the regulations – which also apply to commercial leases – would provide a clear way forward for tenants and landlords to reach agreements.
“We’re taking action to provide certainty for landlords and tenants and enshrine into law the measures needed right now as agreed by the National Cabinet. If there is more the Government needs to do, we will address those gaps where possible.”
To facilitate these changes, and deliver increased mediation and advisory services to commercial parties, the NSW Small Business Commission will be bolstered with extra staff and an injection of $10 million from the $1 billion Working for NSW Fund.
Regulations relating to commercial leases were expedited under amendments passed by the NSW Parliament in March, which allow the Government to make laws that are reasonable to protect the health, safety and welfare of lessees or tenants during COVID-19.
New regulations to assist landlords and tenants in the residential sector were also published last week by the Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation.
Mr Perrottet said land tax relief would be available within weeks, with landlords also able to access a further land tax deferral for any outstanding amounts for a three-month period if they’ve claimed the land tax concession.
“Eligible landlords will be able to apply for a land tax concession of up to 25 per cent of their 2020 land tax liability on relevant properties so long as they pass on the full savings in the form of a rent reduction to their tenants,” Mr Perrottet said.
The commercial lease policy will apply to business tenants with a turnover of less than $50 million that experience a 30 per cent (or more) reduction in revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If circumstances have not significantly changed, tenants still need to fulfil the terms of their agreements.
For residential tenancies, households must show they have suffered a loss of income equal to or greater than 25 per cent due to COVID-19 and are struggling to make rental payments.
The National Cabinet Mandatory Code Of Conduct – SME Leasing Principles During COVID-19 was released by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday, 7 April.
It is expected eligible landlords will be able to apply for land tax rebates from Service NSW from Monday, 4 May 2020.
More information is available via Service NSW, Visit: www.service.nsw.gov.au

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

Police have charged four people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 28 COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

  • A woman has been charged after allegedly assaulting and spitting on two security officers at a hospital in Darlinghurst yesterday. About 3.50pm(Saturday 25 April 2020), a 28-year-old woman was at St Vincent’s Hospital seeking treatment and allegedly became frustrated with waiting. As the woman tried to leave, she allegedly assaulted a 49-year-old male security guard before spitting in the face of a second security officer, a 48-year-old man. Officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command were notified and attended the hospital. The woman was arrested and taken to Kings Cross Police Station, where she was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19. The Surry Hills woman was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday 30 June 2020.
  • About 4:30pm, officers from Sydney City PAC were called to World Square to assist paramedics, when a 23-year-old woman became aggressive and allegedly spat on one of the officers. She was treated at St Vincent’s Hospital before being released and taken to Day Street Police Station. The woman was charged with assault police, and not comply noticed direction re spitting/cough – COVID-19. She has been refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court today (Sunday 26 April 2020).
  • Despite two previous warnings by police and three PINs, a man has been charged for failing to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. About 11.10pm, officers attached to Oxley Police District stopped a vehicle on Grace Street, Narrabri for the purposes of a roadside breath test. The driver, a 24-year-old man, returned a negative result but was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for not being home. Following inquiries, he was placed under arrest and taken to Narrabri Police Station where he was charged with not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Tamworth Local Court today.
  • About 12.30am (Sunday 26 April 2020), police received reports of a group consuming alcohol and playing loud music at a park on Davidson Street, Warilla. Officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District attended the location and spoke to a 20-year-old man who was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being away from his residence. Following inquiries, police confirmed he had recently been charged for failing to comply with COVID-19 restrictions, and prior to that had received a PIN for the same offence. He was charged with not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and is due to appear at Port Kembla Local Court Wednesday 24 June 2020. Two others in attendance were issued with warnings and directed to return home.

Yesterday’s PINs include:

  • A man has received his second PIN in two days after repeatedly flouting ministerial directions to stay home. About 2.45am, officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District stopped a group of three males on Warrie Street, Gilgandra. None of them were able to provide a reasonable excuse for not being home and while two were given formal warnings, checks revealed the third, aged 18, received a warning earlier in the week and received a PIN the day prior. He was issued a $1000 PIN and the group were directed to return to their homes.
  • About 9.30am, officers from Tweed/Byron Police District were patrolling Devine’s Lookout at Ocean Shores when they spoke with a 24-year-old man who was sitting in his vehicle. Police established the man had previously been warned for breaching the Public Health Act he was stopped at Murwillumbah on Tuesday (21 April) and was issued with a PIN after he was stopped at Ocean Shores about 11.35pm the same day. He has now been issued with a second $1000 PIN.
  • About 2.30pm, officers from Sydney City PAC spoke with a man who was walking along Barlow Street in Haymarket. Police allege the Newcastle man said he was visiting a friend in Sydney; however, he had previously been warned for breaching the Public Health Act after he was stopped in Sydney CBD on 16 April 2020. This time he was issued with a $1000 PIN and directed to return home to Newcastle.
  • About 2.55pm, officers attached to Sutherland Police Area Command stopped a Holden Utility on Farnell Avenue, Bundeena, after it was allegedly seen driving on the incorrect side of the road. The driver, a 45-year-old man from Drummoyne, and his passenger, a 42-year-old woman from Five Dock, told police they planned to attend a nearby beach. This was deemed by officers not to be essential travel and the pair were issued with $1000 PINS. The driver was also infringed for crossing unbroken lines.
  • A man has been issued with a PIN after being spoken to by police for a third time in relation to his obligations under the Public Health Act. About 5pm, officers from Police Transport Command approached a 66-year-old man found sitting in a public area near Strathfield Train Station. He was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for not being home. Following inquiries, police confirmed that the man had received two previous warnings for failing to comply with COVID-19 restrictions and issued him with a $1000 PIN.
  • About 10.40pm, officers from Surry Hills PAC stopped a 36-year-old man riding a bicycle on Campbell Street, Surry Hills, without a helmet. Police allege the man said he was going to a friend’s house; however, checks revealed the same man had been given a warning the previous day (Friday 24 April 2020), for breaching the Public Health Act. He was issued a $1000 PIN for breaching COVID restrictions and was infringed for not wearing an approved bicycle helmet.

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 charged after ferry worker spat on – Circular Quay

A man will appear in court today, charged after allegedly spitting on a ferry worker at Circular Quay earlier this week.
About 12.50pm on Tuesday (22 April 2020), an 18-year-old female NSW ferries employee was walking along the Circular Quay ferry terminal when a man approached and allegedly spat at her, with saliva hitting her chest and neck.
The man continued walking and entered Circular Quay Railway Station.
Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were notified and commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, a 45-year-old man was arrested at Bass Hill Police Station about 1.30pm yesterday (Friday 24 April 2020).
He was charged with common assault and refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Saturday 25 April 2020).