CHARGES:
– About 9am today (Sunday 4 April 2020), lifeguards at Bondi Beach approached police for assistance with a man who had ignored the council’s ‘beach closed’ signs. Officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command spoke with a 21-year-old man and cautioned him for failing to comply with terms of notice erected by council. After the man allegedly refused to follow move-on directions, he was arrested, during which, he allegedly coughed at an officer, claiming to have COVID-19. He was taken to Waverley Police Station and charged with fail to comply with terms of notice erected by council, fail or refuse to comply with requirement of police officer, resist officer in execution of duty and intimidate police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court tomorrow (Monday 6 April 2020). It has since been confirmed that the man does not have COVID-19.
– A 59-year-old man has been charged with trespassing and breaching the Public Health Act after officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command were called to a Dee Why hotel about 8.30pm yesterday (Saturday 4 April 2020). The same man has already been issued with two PINs (Thursday 2 and Friday 3 April 2020) for similar breaches. He’s due to appear in Manly Local Court on Wednesday 3 June 2020.
– A man has been charged over allegedly breaching an Apprehensive Violence Order and not complying with the Public Health Act. Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to a home in East Maitland about 9.30am yesterday (Saturday 4 April 2020), responding to reports a woman was being assaulted. They arrested a 26-year-old man at the scene and took him to Maitland Police Station, where he was charged with contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO, possess prohibited drug, and not comply with direction under section 7. He’s been refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Sunday 5 April 2020).
– A 37-year-old man claiming to have COVID-19 virus will appear in Nowra court today after allegedly assaulting and spitting at officers. Officers from South Coast Police District were attempting to arrest the man about 8.30am yesterday (Saturday 4 April 2020), when he allegedly punched an officer in the face. It’s alleged the man spat in the face of the injured senior constable, while claiming to have the COVID-19 virus. He’s been charged with assault police causing actual bodily harm, assault police, and intimidate police.
PINS:
A total of 18 new Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) have been issued in relation to alleged breaches of the Public Health Act:
– About 2.30pm on Friday 3 April 2020, officers from Murrumbidgee Police District were called to Benerembah Lane, Griffith, following reports of an intoxicated person. A 55-year-old man was spoken to and moved on from the area. At 4pm the same day, officers returned after the man was seen again in that location and could not provide a legitimate reason for being there. Police were also made aware that he had been warned to obey social distancing regulations on Tuesday 31 March 2020. The man was issued a penalty infringement notice (PIN).
– About 5pm Friday 3 April 2020, police attached to New England Police District attended a licensed premise in Tenterfield Street, Deepwater. They spoke to a 27-year-old man, who was sitting with a group of patrons drinking. He was issued with a PIN as he had been spoken to by police the previous day about social-distancing and issued with a warning.
– A 37-year-old Newtown man has been issued with a PIN after officers from Inner West PAC spoke with him twice on Friday night about breaching the Public Health Act. Police spoke with the man on Federation Road about 8.30pm on Friday 3 April 2020, where he was warned about associating with four other adults. About two hours later, the same man was stopped on King Street, Newtown, and was then issued with a PIN.
– About 8.30pm Friday 3 April 2020, officers from Bankstown Police Area Command noticed a car double parked in Restwell Street, Bankstown. Officers pulled over the car and spoke to the 20-year-old female driver and her 21-year-old female passenger. The pair were unable to provide a valid reason for driving around. The passenger provided incorrect identification information to the police and become argumentative. She was issued with a PIN. The driver was issued with an official move on direction.
– Just after 10.30pm on Friday 3 April 2020, officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command were patrolling San Cristobal Drive, Green Valley, when they saw three men – one aged 36 and two 18-year-olds – not obeying social distancing regulations. The men were spoken to and could not provide a legitimate reason for being there. Two of the men had allegedly exited a vehicle believed to have been stolen. All three were issued PINs. Investigations regarding the vehicle are continuing.
– At 1.15am Saturday 4 April 2020, officers from Bankstown Police Area Command pulled over a car after it had allegedly accelerated away after seeing police on Edgar Street, Bankstown. The 30-year-old driver was spoken to by police about his reason for driving. He was unable to provide a valid reason and changed his version several times and continued to be argumentative with police. He was issued with a PIN.
– A passenger in a car being driven by a food delivery driver has been issued with a PIN by officers from Quakers Hill Police Area Command. Police stopped the vehicle about midday yesterday (Saturday 4 April 2020) and spoke with two people in the car. The driver was employed delivering food; however, police allege the 33-year-old woman from Toongabbie, who was the front-seat passenger, was only there because she said she was bored being at home.
– A 38-year-old woman has been issued with a PIN after she was found drinking with six people in Jonson Street, Byron Bay, just before 6pm yesterday, in breach of the Public Health Act. Officers from Tweed/Byron Police District had issued a warning to the woman earlier in the day.
– Police investigating an alleged assault at a home in Goulburn last night have issued two men with PINs for breaching the Public Health Act. Officers from The Hume Police District were called to the home in Teece Place about 9.20pm (Saturday 4 April 2020), after a 34-year-old man sustained a cut above his eye. He was treated at Goulburn Hospital and released. Police later issued him and his 24-year-old friend with a PIN; inquiries are continuing into the alleged assault.
– A man has been issued with a PIN after being stopped at the Sydney Opera House about 10.15pm yesterday. Officers from Sydney City PAC had already issued the man last Wednesday (1 April 2020), with a warning about breaching the Public Health Act.
– Two people were given PINs and three people received cautions after gathering for a barbeque in the state’s north. Yesterday (Saturday 4 April 2020), about 11pm, officers attached to New England Police District responded to a noise complaint at a caravan park on Rouse Street, Tenterfield. Five people were in the bungalow; breaching ministerial orders related to the congregation of more than two people. A 23-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were identified as people who had previously received cautions for not complying with ministerial directions and were fined $1000. The three others were issued with cautions.
– Just after midnight (Sunday 5 April 2020), officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command attended the Lilli Pilli Baths, in Lilli Pilli, following reports of a gathering of people not adhering to social distancing regulations. Police attended and spoke with four men – aged 22, 24, 19 and 19 – who were drinking and having a barbeque. Officers reminded them of their requirements under the Public Health Act and asked them to move on; however, the men became argumentative and refused to leave. All three men were issued infringement notices.
Man charged after spitting on officer, claiming to have COVID-19 virus
A man claiming to have COVID-19 virus will appear in court today after allegedly assaulting and spitting at officer’s while being arrested on the state’s south coast yesterday.
About 8.30am (Saturday 4 April 2020), officers from South Coast Police District attended Scenic Drive, Nowra, and spoke with a man who had been seen acting erratically.
The man allegedly punched a senior constable in the face. The injured officer struggled with the man, and further police attended to assist with OC spray deployed.
During the struggle, it is alleged the man spat in the face of the injured senior constable, while claiming to have the COVID-19 virus.
The 37-year-old man was arrested and taken to Shoalhaven Hospital under police guard.
After being released, he was taken to Nowra Police Station and charged with two counts of assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm, assault officer in execution of duty. and intimidate police in execution of duty.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in Nowra Local Court today (Sunday 5 April 2020).
During the arrest the senior constable sustained bruising and abrasions to his face. The senior constable who assisted in the arrest sprained her wrist.
Temporary Visa Holders: Greens
The government’s response to temporary visa holders in Australia is cruel and callous, Greens Immigration and Citizenship spokesperson Nick McKim says.
“Temporary visa holders are guests in our country and many have lost jobs and income. They need genuine income support right now,” Senator McKim said.
“The government is turning its back on people in their hour of need, just as it has done to people seeking asylum for years.”
“Not all temporary visa holders have the financial capacity to simply leave. For them this is a sentence to poverty and hunger.”
“This decision will have serious public health implications. How can we ask people to self isolate without income and in some cases without a home?”
“We would expect other countries to look after Australians stuck there, and we should do the same for their people.”
International Students Abandoned In Heartless Visa Announcement
Australian Greens Senator for NSW and Education spokesperson Dr Mehreen Faruqi has said that the federal government has abandoned international students to the risk of poverty and homelessness. Today the government confirmed it would provide no financial support for international student visa holders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Faruqi has called for income support for international students during the COVID-19 crisis.
Senator Faruqi said:
“In this pandemic, international students have lost their jobs, found themselves unable to pay rent or put food on the table, and face living in squalid conditions.
“Hundreds of international students have contacted me over the last few days to share their stories of unemployment, financial stress and precarious living situations.
“Now, the government has confirmed they will not lift a finger to support these hundreds of thousands of students who we welcomed into our country and whose fees and work we’ve all benefited from.
“International students contribute enormously to the Australian community. But the government has abandoned them completely.
“The government must extend the Coronavirus Supplement to international students and make JobKeeper payments available to them as well.
“Minister Tudge says students should look to family support to get them through this. But many of these students come from countries also severely impacted by the pandemic, where lockdowns and health crises have resulted in business closures and losses of income. Family support can no longer be relied upon.
“If we truly are all in this together, then the ‘all’ must include international students in strife.
“We are at risk of a serious humanitarian crisis if the government does not step in and support international students as a matter of urgency,” she said.
Charges laid after two police officers allegedly assaulted – Hunter Region
A man will appear in court today charged after allegedly assaulting two police officers in the Hunter Valley region overnight.
About 8.30pm (Friday 3 April 2020), officers from Hunter Valley Police District stopped a Ford Laser sedan on Heddon Street, Kurri Kurri, and spoke with the driver, a 38-year-old man.
The driver allegedly resisted officers while they conducted a search. As he was being arrested, the man allegedly punched a senior constable in the head before OC spray was deployed.
The man allegedly fled the area and, following a short foot pursuit, he was arrested again.
Police will allege in court that during this arrest, the man punched a second female senior constable in the head.
He was taken to Cessnock Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, and three counts of assault police officer in execution of duty.
The Waratah man has been refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 4 April 2020).
Fourth man charged following three pursuits in Lake Macquarie and Newcastle
A fourth person will face court today charged over his alleged role in three separate pursuits across the Lake Macquarie and Newcastle region.
About 12.25am yesterday (Friday 3 April 2020), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were patrolling the Cardiff area, when they spotted a Volkswagen Polo on Main Street, which had allegedly been reported stolen earlier in the week from Valentine.
The vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed and a police pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit continued through several streets of Cardiff onto the Newcastle City Bypass, with the car allegedly travelling south in the northbound lanes; the pursuit was then terminated due to safety concerns.
A short time later, the car was spotted on Medcalf Street, Warners Bay, where police initiated a second pursuit. This was terminated a short time later; also due to safety reasons.
Then about 12.40am, police saw the car on Myall Road, Cardiff, and initiated a third pursuit.
The vehicle travelled through several suburbs – including Cardiff, Elermore Vale and Wallsend – before police terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns.
A short time later, officers from Newcastle City Police District were patrolling the area when they observed the car allegedly travelling at speed through the intersection of Walford and Thomas Streets, Wallsend.
The vehicle allegedly ran a red light and collided with a westbound silver Subaru.
No one was injured in the collision.
Four people exited the vehicle and ran from the scene.
Officers from Lake Macquarie and Newcastle City Police Districts, with assistance from the Dog and Mounted Command, established a perimeter and arrested two men – aged 20 and 19 – and a 16-year-old boy.
All three were taken to Waratah Police Station and charged. They remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, investigators attended a home in Northfolk Street, Cardiff, and arrested a 19-year-old man just after 10pm yesterday.
He was taken to Toronto Police Station, where he was charged with eight offences, including:
- two counts of be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner,
- two counts of obtain property by deception,
- receive stolen property, goods in custody suspected of being stolen,
- possess prohibited drug, and
- possess housebreaking implements.
The Cardiff man was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 4 April 2020).
NSW Police Marine Area Command coordinates five cruise ship operation
The NSW Police Force Marine Area Command is leading the largest maritime operation undertaken in Sydney Harbour to coordinate the provisioning and crew movements of five cruise ships.
‘Operation Nemesis’, assisted by the Port Authority of NSW, has been working closely with the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to safely coordinate the return of the ships to their home ports.
Following several days of planning, Spectrum of the Seas entered the port of Sydney about 4.30pm yesterday (Friday 3 April 2020), guided by a marine pilot, and anchored at Athol Bay to re-provision essential supplies, including fuel, food and medical materials.
It was joined by Radiance of the Seas which entered Sydney Harbour after 5am today (Saturday 4 April 2020).
More than 600 crew members, who are Foreign Nationals, were moved between the two ships in numerous tender operations, before both ships departed NSW waters to return to their home countries just before 2pm.
A third ship – Celebrity Solstice – entered Sydney Harbour just after 2pm, and a further two ships – Voyager of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas – are scheduled to enter the harbour later today.
A further 780 crew members will be transferred in multiple tender operations this evening, before the remaining three ships depart.
A total of five Australian crew members remain on the ships.
Marine Area Commander, Superintendent Steve Hegarty, said the operation has been planned and executed by the Marine Area Command.
“NSW Police has been instrumental in facilitating the movement of more than 750,000 tonnes of shipping through the Port of Sydney over about a 30-hour period,” Supt Hegarty said.
“It will be the largest peace time maritime operation undertaken in Sydney Harbour and has relied on the cooperation of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and the Port Authority of NSW to ensure its success.”
Further information will be available at the conclusion of the operation.
Breakdown of Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) in the past 24 hours
A total of 12 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) were issued yesterday (Friday 3 April 2020) in relation to alleged breaches of the Public Health Act:
– About 6.40am, police were called to a home in Wagga Wagga following reports of a disturbance. Officers spoke with five men at the premises who were not residents of the home and couldn’t provide a legitimate reason for being there. The men – aged 21, 28, 31, and two aged 33 – were each searched, before being issued with an infringement notice and sent home. While at the home, officers found and seized methamphetamine and cannabis. Inquiries are continuing, with charges expected.
– About 3.20pm, officers from Liverpool Police Area Command were patrolling Macquarie Street Mall when they noticed a group of men sitting on a bench in the park. The men were all sitting on a bench that was fenced off with council tape, and displayed a sign indicating the area was closed due to the Federal Government regulations on social distancing. The group were approached by police who asked them to move along. Two of the men complied, however, the third man, aged 23, refused to leave and became abusive. He was issued with an infringement notice.
– Just before 2pm, a 37-year-old man and his 35-year-old female passenger were stopped by Bankstown Police on Bransgrove Road, Revesby. The man submitted to a roadside drug test which proved positive. Police searched the car and located a knife as well as four envelopes in the names of other people. The man was arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station where he charged with custody of a knife in a public place, and goods in custody. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court 22 July 2020. For not having a legitimate reason for being in public, the pair were also issued infringement notices.
– A 34-year-old man was warned for failing to comply with a Public Health Order on Thursday (2 April 2020). About 10am the following day (Friday 3 April 2020) the same man was seen in Darlinghurst, allegedly swearing and yelling in the street. He was charged with offensive language and issued with a PIN for breaching the Public Health Act.
– About 3.40pm the Fairfield Proactive Crime Team saw two men, aged 54 and 40, sitting closely together drinking alcohol in a Fairfield plaza. Police issued the pair with infringements, as they had spoken to the same men earlier that day and warned them about not complying with the Public Health Act.
– At 10.20pm on Thursday 2 April 2020, police attached to Richmond Police District pulled over a car travelling on Ballina Road, Goonellabah. The 32-year-old man was subjected to a breath test, which returned a positive reading. He was arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station and submitted to a breath analysis returning a reading of 0.132. He was charged with mid-range PCA and was granted conditional bail to appear in Ballina Local Court on 23 June 2020. The man informed police that he had returned from Singapore on 22 March 2020 and was self-isolating: however, he had left the house and did not have a reasonable excuse. For breaching the Public Health Act, he also received an infringement.
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 Advisory Group a big win for disability community
Australian Greens Disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has labelled Health Minister Greg Hunt’s announcement of the establishment of a National Advisory Group to guide development and implementation of a response plan focusing on the unique health needs of disabled people a “huge win” for the community.
“This is what the Greens, Australia’s peak disability advocacy organisations and the community have been calling for for weeks. This National advisory group should have been started weeks ago but the reality is that now they’ll be forced to play catch up,” Steele-John said.
“We don’t have any more time to waste. Disabled people need a dedicated and natinonally coordinated stategy now to ensure that they have the information and support they need to get through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“So far the government has failed to actively include us from the response to COVID-19 and this has caused significant anxiety and concern amongst our community.
“Today, more than 70 of Australia’s disability organisation and advocacy bodies released a statement calling for ten urgent actions to be taken to address the impacts of COVID-19 on disabled people, our families and our support networks.
“I’m calling on the National Advisory Group tomeet urgently and consider these ten action points to ensure that disabled people, our families and our support networks can have the information and support we need to get through this COVID-19 crisis.”
Update on Coronavirus Measures
Australian governments met today as the National Cabinet to take further action to slow the spread of coronavirus to save lives, and to save livelihoods.
We will be living with this virus for at least six months, so social distancing measures to slow the spread of this virus must be sustainable for at least that long to protect Australian lives.
We need to ensure Australia keeps functioning, to keep Australians in jobs.
The Chief Medical Officer Dr Brendan Murphy provided an update on the measures underway on the latest data and medical advice in relation to coronavirus.
There are more than 5,315 confirmed cases in Australia and sadly 27 people have died.
Testing keeps Australians safe. Australia has one of the most rigorous coronavirus testing systems in the world with more than 270,000 tests completed.
It is clear the epidemiology curve is beginning to flatten. But it is too early to determine whether such movements will be significant or sustained.
Leaders thanked all Australians who have acted responsibly towards their fellow Australians and have been undertaking social distancing and isolation measures.
These measures are helping to slow the spread of the virus, ensure the strength of our health system and save lives.
National Cabinet stressed the critical importance of continuing to adhere to self-isolation, social distancing and quarantine arrangements for returned travellers. Leaders also highlight the importance of people who are self-isolating registering on the COVID-19 app.
National Cabinet noted that Australia was now in the suppression phase of the response, which will last for some time. Restrictions will be reviewed regularly and planning for the medium to long-term has begun.
Governments are working together to increase supplies of personal protective equipment such as masks, hand sanitiser and gloves. New supplies for the National Medical Stockpile are continuing to be sourced from overseas suppliers and domestic manufacturers.
The Prime Minister and the Secretary of the Commonwealth Treasury also provided an overview of the economic outlook and the medium and longer term financial risks.
National Cabinet agreed to meet again on Tuesday 7 April 2020.
Religious Services
Churches and other places of worship, will be considered places of work so that services can be live streamed to the community. This will ensure that religious services, including Easter services, remain accessible to congregations. National Cabinet agreed that providing access to services is important for a sense of continuity and social connection.
Services may be conducted and live streamed providing only essential staff are present, the venue/facility remains closed to the public, and social distancing principles are adhered to.
Any church wishing to conduct religious services, including Easter services, must use the minimum number of participants required to deliver and live stream the service, which may include a priest, attendants, organist, videographer and sound recordist.
Easter Holidays
Social distancing is slowing the spread of the virus in Australia. These measures are saving lives and livelihoods. National Cabinet reminded Australians that social distancing must continue at Easter and agreed that Australians should stay at home this Easter and not undertake unnecessary holiday travel.
Commercial Tenancies
National Cabinet made further progress on the issue of commercial tenancies. They have agreed that a mandatory code of conduct guided by certain principles will be developed and subsequently legislated by State and Territory Governments to apply for tenancies where the tenant is eligible for the Commonwealth Government’s JobKeeper assistance and is a small- or medium-sized enterprise (less than $50 million turnover).
The principles that guide the code will be:
(a) Where it can, rent should continue to be paid, and where there is financial distress as a result of COVID-19 (for example, the tenant is eligible for assistance through the JobKeeper program), tenants and landlords should negotiate a mutually agreed outcome
(b) There will be a proportionality to rent reductions based on the decline in turnover to ensure that the burden is shared between landlords and tenants
(c) There will be a prohibition on termination of leases for non-payment of rent (lockouts and eviction)
(d) There will be a freeze on rent increases (except for turnover leases)
(e) There will be a prohibition on penalties for tenants who stop trading or reduce opening hours
(f) There will be a prohibition on landlords passing land tax to tenants (if not already legislated)
(g) There will be a prohibition on landlords charging interest on unpaid rent
(h) There will be a prohibition on landlords from making a claim to a bank guarantee or security deposit for non-payment of rent
(i) Ensure that any legislative barriers or administrative hurdles to lease extensions are removed (so that a tenant and landlord could agree a rent waiver in return for a lease extension)
For landlords and tenants that sign up to the code of conduct, States and Territories have agreed to look at providing the equivalent of at least a three month land tax waiver and three month land tax deferral on application for eligible landowners, with jurisdictions to continue to monitor the situation. Landlords must pass on the benefits of such moves to the tenants. In cases where parties have signed to the code of conduct, the ability for tenants to terminate leases as mentioned in the National Cabinet Statement on 29 March 2020 will not apply. Mediation will be provided as needed through existing State and Territory mechanisms.
The proposed code of conduct will be discussed at the next meeting of the National Cabinet on Tuesday 7 April.
Childcare and Education
National Cabinet welcomed the Australian Government’s Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) relief package, recognising that the sector is key to supporting essential workers and vulnerable children, while also underpinning economic recovery by allowing parents to work, study and volunteer. The relief package will provide families with free child care, while also offering certainty to ECEC services at a time where enrolments and attendance are highly unpredictable.
National Cabinet also supported the agreements made by Education Ministers on 2 April 2020 to reduce the regulatory burden on early childhood education and care. Amongst other things, it was agreed that ECEC services will remain open for all families who require care and any future decision regarding ECEC services will be consistent with advice of AHPPC (noting families who require care include all essential workers and vulnerable cohorts).
The current AHPPC advice is that ECEC centres are essential services and should continue at this time, but with risk mitigation measures in place. National Cabinet agreed with AHPPC advice that alternative care arrangements should be considered for those children who are highly vulnerable to adverse outcomes if infected with COVID-19 and that parents seek medical advice for these children.
The previous advice on schools has not changed. Education Ministers will work with medical experts to determine how the school year can be conducted.
Local Governments
National Cabinet agreed that states and territories were best placed to address issues related to the impacts of COVID19 and local governments.
Information on Coronavirus COVID-19 in Australia
To improve access to timely information on COVID19 National Cabinet agreed to the Commonwealth Department of Health releasing a national daily dashboard of data and key facts. The dashboard will shortly be available on www.health.gov.au.
National Cabinet will review up-dated health system capacity modelling on Tuesday 7 April 2020. This modelling will look at the trajectory of the outbreak in Australia, the capacity of our health care system and the measures put in place to suppress the spread of COVID19.