The NSW Government today announced a $140 million Bushfire Industry Recovery Package to support forestry, horticulture and agriculture industries impacted by the recent bushfires.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said the package will help industries significantly impacted by bushfires to rebuild, recover, regrow and remain the heartbeat of regional economies.
“This funding will support the recovery and resilience of key industries by backing projects that retain and create jobs, strengthen local supply chains and support a return to production,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Regional NSW relies on these key driver industries to help generate jobs and economic activity and this funding will provide the direct help many businesses need to recover from devastating losses, which in turn will help their wider industry remain viable.”
Mr Barilaro said regional NSW is the backbone of this State and it is critical to support the key regional industries which keep our economy thriving.
“Our farmers feed this State and this Nation, and not only have they endured the worst drought on record, but many have suffered horrific bushfires and now COVID-19 is affecting our regional economies,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Bushfire impacted towns cannot afford to suffer further job losses and economic downturn, which is why we are delivering this funding to keep our key regional industries in business.
“Industries with the greatest impact will be given the greatest share of this funding. The program will focus on recovery in the short term and will support valuable investments to help these sectors plan for recovery in the longer term.”
Details of funding criteria including amounts available for businesses under this package will be made available with the release of program Guidelines in the coming weeks.
Other bushfire support measures include the NSW and Australian Governments sharing the cost for the clean-up of residential and small business properties, the NSW Government’s $1 billion fund to replace vital state infrastructure, $75,000 grants for bushfire affected primary producers and $50,000 grants for bushfire affected small businesses.
For a full list of all available bushfire support, go to www.service.nsw.gov.au.
$14 MILLION BOOST TO CONTINUE TO ASSIST SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS NSW
Businesses across the state doing it tough during the COVID19 pandemic are encouraged to register for the NSW Government’s small business advisory program.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the NSW Government was injecting more than $14 million into Business Connect to help small and medium businesses navigate this challenging time.
“We want to provide the help our businesses need to get out the other side of this pandemic,” Mr Tudehope said.
“As part of this funding boost we’ve allocated $4.6 million to engage an additional 30 advisors to support businesses, on top of $9.8 million to ensure the program continues for another 12 months.
“Business Connect is a powerful tool, with advisors having assisted more than 28,000 businesses over the past three years, providing advice and skills training for small businesses.
“Business owners have reported increased confidence, stronger finances, and developed plans for their business. We’ve also seen these businesses create and support more than 15,000 additional jobs since 2017.
“And now Business Connect will be here to assist small businesses during this tough time with the support and information they need.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the funding would support Business Connect until June 2021, giving NSW businesses the tools they need to stay in business, rethink their model and boost their digital presence.
“Business Connect was on the front foot, rolling out targeted support and Small Business Bushfire Information Sessions in regional areas following the recent bushfires,” Mr Perrottet said.
“As a result of COVID-19, more than 60 webinars are available through Business Connect to support businesses in developing a road map for success and managing cash flow amid challenging conditions.
“In addition, a series of COVID-19 Business Information Session webinars with representatives from various government agencies will be rolled out soon, to provide information about stimulus and support initiatives.
“Businesses impacted by COVID-19 and bushfires will be able to access the webinars and receive advice free-of-charge.”
Blackrose Café in Liverpool owner Anthony Pellegrino said Business Connect gave him some advice on how to do things a little differently during this time.
Mr Pellegrino said while his Italian restaurant continued to provide takeaway meals, it also started to sell groceries including pasta, pasta sauce, meat and wine.
“Business Connect gave me direction and confidence in executing some of the things I wasn’t sure of, such as using social media to promote our restaurant and the diversification of the business,” he said.
Business Connect supports businesses to start, be resilient and grow by providing professional business advice and skills development events.
The additional 30 advisors will be funded through the new Working for NSW Fund.
Businesses can access support by visiting business.nsw.gov.au/businessconnect or call 1300 134 359.
M6 STAGE 1 WILL CREATE JOBS AND BOOST INVESTMENT
Jobs in the New South Wales construction sector will receive a major boost ahead of the start of work on the M6 Stage 1.
Minister for Roads Andrew Constance today announced the New South Wales Government will call for tender applications to help build the new ‘missing link’ motorway to connect Sydney’s south, creating around 5,300 new jobs.
The project, costing around $2.6 billion, will allow motorists to bypass up to 23 sets of traffics light on the Princes Highway and take up to 2,000 heavy vehicles a day off surface roads.
Additionally, in a major win for the community, a $20 million upgrade of recreational facilities at popular local parks at Rockdale and Brighton-Le-Sands will start mid-year.
“We know many workers, contractors and sub-contractors are doing it tough during this challenging period, and the start of works on the M6 Stage 1 will be a major boost for the construction industry,” Mr Constance said.
“In NSW there are almost 400,000 people employed in property and construction, and we are committed to keeping as many of them in work as possible.
“The construction of the M6 Stage 1 will create thousands of new jobs and support families across Sydney.”
The M6 Stage 1 connects President Avenue at Kogarah to the New M5 at Arncliffe.
Successful applicants from last year’s Expressions of Interest to design and construct the M6 Stage 1 project will be invited to tender, including:
- Acciona-Samsung Joint Venture (comprising Acciona Construction Australia Pty Ltd and Samsung C&T Corporation)
- Gamuda-BMD Joint Venture (comprising Gamuda Berhad t/as Gamuda (Australia) Branch and B.M.D. Constructions Pty Ltd)
- CPB–Ghella Joint Venture (comprising CPB Contractors Pty Ltd and Ghella Pty Ltd)
An investment of around $20 million to revitalise local recreation facilities will also support local jobs and improve amenities for local residents.
“We’ve now received final approval from Bayside Council to start work on upgrades to Ador Park and McCarthy Reserve at Rockdale and Brighton Memorial Playing Fields at Brighton-Le-Sands, which is great news for our community,” Mr Constance said.
“The new recreational facilities at Rockdale and Brighton-Le-Sands will include the creation of new grass and synthetic playing fields, amenities buildings, more car parking spaces, and a new skate park and play areas.
“Thanks to close collaboration with the community and stakeholders, work is set to start in the middle of this year and finish by the end of 2021, well before significant work begins on the motorway, so local sporting teams will be less disrupted.”
The community will be kept updated as the project progresses.
For more information on the M6 Stage 1 go to: www.nswwork.roads/M6portal
TEMPORARY HOUSING PODS CONTINUE TO ROLL OUT ACROSS NSW
Temporary accommodation pods are continuing to be delivered to the hardest hit residents in bushfire affected areas across the state, with more pods arriving in Kempsey and Eurobodalla this week.
More than 100 temporary accommodation pods will be provided to residents in bushfire affected communities across the state, thanks to a partnership between the NSW Government and Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said it was important to offer safe and secure shelter to help people stay on their land, if they choose to do so.
“We have provided emergency and temporary accommodation to 8,000 people since November last year, however we recognise that for some people a hotel or motel in the next largest town doesn’t suit, as they have responsibilities like looking after animals and tending to livestock”, Mr Barilaro said.
“Over the next few weeks, we will see an additional 50 pods allocated, which is great news for many residents. The current temporary accommodation pods can house up to four people, however we are looking to develop larger pods to suit larger families.
“We are doing all we can to keep families and communities together wherever possible.”
Minderoo Foundation CEO Andrew Hagger said the recovery pods had been well received.
“We’re incredibly proud of the impact our recovery pods have had. The feedback from recipients has been overwhelmingly positive,” Mr Hagger said.
“The Minderoo Foundation team has been working tirelessly to get pods out, despite the new challenges COVID-19 has presented.
“We will continue to work with the NSW Government, to help as many people impacted by the fires as we can, for as long as it’s safe to do so.”
The temporary accommodation pods will allow people to stay on their land while they rebuild, with the first pods arriving in Kempsey and Eurobodalla Local Government Areas. Pods have also been approved for deployment to the Tenterfield and Glen Innes Local Government Areas, with delivery and installation to be scheduled shortly.
The pods will be provided for up to two years, tying into recent planning amendments which allow temporary accommodation on private property for up to two years.
STRONGER PROTECTION FOR SYDNEY’S WATER CATCHMENT FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE REVIEW
Better protections, stronger assessment and more environmental offsets will ensure Sydney’s drinking water supply is safeguarded, following an extensive review by an independent expert panel.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the NSW Government had accepted all 50 recommendations of the expert panel led by the office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer.
“We want to ensure we have every measure in place to protect Sydney’s water supply for generations to come,” Mr Stokes said.
“We’ve accepted all of the recommendations from the panel and have established an interagency taskforce to implement a detailed action plan throughout this year.
“These actions will improve our existing comprehensive assessment and monitoring of underground coal mining while providing certainty for both Sydney’s water supply and thousands of jobs across NSW – particularly 5,000 workers in the Illawarra.”
The action plan includes:
- Ensuring there is a net gain for the metropolitan water supply by requiring more offsetting from mining companies;
- Establishing a new independent expert panel to advise on future mining applications in the catchment;
- Strengthening surface and groundwater monitoring;
- Improving access to and transparency of environmental data;
- Adopting a more stringent approach to the assessment and conditioning of future mining proposals to minimise subsidence impacts;
- Reviewing and updating current and potential future water losses from mining in line with the best available science;
- Introducing a licensing regime to properly account for any water losses; and
- Undertaking further research into mine closure planning to reduce potential long-term impacts.
The Independent Expert Panel for Mining in the Catchment’s final report is available at https://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/reports/independent-expert-panel-for-mining-in-the-catchment
$25 MILLION RESEARCH FUND TO TACKLE COVID-19
The NSW Government is injecting $25 million to fast-track statewide research and clinical trials to tackle the global COVID-19 pandemic and reduce its impact on the community.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the funds are part of about $800 million in extra health funding by the NSW Government to bolster the health system.
“Already researchers in NSW have made huge inroads to improve diagnostics and potentially aid the eventual creation of a vaccine by growing the novel coronavirus,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The $25 million funding boost will further assist the collaborative research efforts of clinicians, universities and research hubs with crucial roles in the NSW COVID-19 response”.
The funding will be directed to research focused on:
- accurate and timely diagnosis of COVID-19;
- support conducting COVID-19 clinical trials including vaccine trials;
- monitoring, developing and evaluating strategies to slow community transmission;
- developing and evaluating treatments for COVID-19;
- preventing the need for intensive medical care.
- minimising the impact of physical and psychological trauma on the community.
The $25 million is on top of $108 million already invested in medical research in 2019-2020 and will help ensure all research findings on COVID-19 can be implemented rapidly.
The extra funding will also support clinician-led research into the COVID-19 impacts on the healthcare workforce, vulnerable populations and regional, rural and remote communities.
Professor Anthony Kelleher, Director of the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney, said the institute is leading several research projects on COVID-19, including developing an antiviral therapy.
“The infectious disease expertise within the NSW medical research sector is truly world class, and we are eager to turn this investment into research that will transform this pandemic and ultimately save lives,” Professor Kelleher said.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said: “This funding will go a long way to progressing urgent research to minimise the health, social and economic impacts of COVID-19 in NSW.”
Progress on research
- ICPMR Westmead was the first lab in Australia to develop and introduce a blood antibody test for tracking the spread of COVID-19 and is working with researchers from The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance at Westmead and the Kirby Institute who will lead NSW studies of COVID-19 in schools, aged care, hospitals and the home.
- Westmead Institute researchers believe that they have found blood biomarkers that tell clinicians whether patients will need intensive care and are working with clinical trials experts from across NSW to integrate these markers in to critical studies of the course of COVID-19 and its transmissibility.
- Garvan and Kirby Institute researchers have developed a world-leading technology to identify the critical antibodies amongst the myriad produced by our immune cells when challenged by this virus – that could lead to a new treatments and diagnostic tests and are working with virology researchers at UNSW and Westmead
- University of Sydney researchers are at the forefront of research into how best to communicate information during epidemics prevent transmission of infection and into the psychological trauma that may result from managing this epidemic in Australia.
Breakdown of latest Public Health Act charges and Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs)
Police have charged six people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 31 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:
- Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling the CBD just before 2am (Sunday 19 April 2020), when they approached a woman on the corner of Goulburn and Cunningham Streets, who had price tags visible on her clothing. During a search of the woman, police located an array of clothing with price tags on them, suspected to be stolen. Checks revealed the woman had multiple warnings and a recent fine for breaching Ministerial Directions under the Public Health Act. She was subsequently charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and appeared in court yesterday, where she was convicted and given a $220 fine.
- About 2.15am police from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command spoke to a 22-year-old man on Luxford Road, Mt Druitt, who was walking with two other males. It was ascertained the man had been issued with two prior PINS for breaching the Public Health Act. The man was informed he would be issued with another PIN and instructed to walk directly to the Mt Druitt Railway Station and return home. The man was arrested after he ignored the direction. He was charged with not comply with noticed direction and granted conditional bail, due to appear in Mount Druitt Local Court on 13 May 2020.
- About 9am (Sunday 19 April 2020), a 50-year-old man attended Westfield Warringah Mall – allegedly in breach of a banning notice – and became aggressive with security officers before leaving. About 11.40am, officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command located the man on Howard Avenue, Dee Why, seated on a bench drinking a beer. When asked about a jacket in his possession, the man stated it was stolen from the donation bins. The man was subsequently charged with breaching the Public Health Act, enter enclosed lands, larceny and goods in custody. He’s been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Monday 20 April 2020).
- About 1.15pm police from the Sutherland Shire Police Area Command attended a multi-story carpark in Croyden Street, Cronulla, responding to reports of a man who appeared to be unconscious in his car. As police approached the 50-year-old man he became aggressive. Police asked the man to participate in random breath test and he allegedly grabbed the officer’s arm and attempted to spit in his face. The man was removed from the car where it is further alleged he attempted to bite police. He was taken to Sutherland Police Station and charged with assault police and not comply with noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19. He was refused bail and is expected to appear via AVL in Parramatta Local Court today (Monday 20 April 2020).
- At 2.20pm police attached to the Mid North Police Area Command attended a service station on Smith Street, Kempsey following a theft. The 27-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Kempsey Police Station. The woman informed police that she had recently been tested for Covid-19 and was informed to self-isolate until she received results. She was charged with three counts of shoplifting, larceny, dishonestly obtain financial advantage, breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction. She was refused bail and will appear in Kempsey Local Court via AVL today (Monday 20 April 2020).
- About 4.10am yesterday (Sunday 19 April 2020), officers from Kuring Gai Police Area Command were patrolling the St Ives area, when they came across a group of youths congregating on Bedford Avenue. One of the boys, aged 16, was allegedly in breach of his bail conditions. The youths then ran from police before the 16-year-old boy was arrested. He was taken to Hornsby Police Station, where he was charged with breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear a Children’s Court on Tuesday 16 June 2020.
Yesterday’s PINs include:
- About 9.30am yesterday (Sunday 19 April 2020), officers from Burwood Police Area Command were called to a unit complex in Swan Avenue, Strathfield, over a noise complaint. On arrival, officers located six men allegedly having a social gathering. All six men – aged 21, 26, 26, 27, 27 and 31 – were issued PINs.
- Just before 1pm yesterday, officers from Central North Police District were patrolling the Kamilaroi Highway, when they stopped a vehicle at Brewarrina. Officers spoke with the driver, a 41-year-old woman, who could not provide a reasonable excuse for not being at home and allegedly had camping equipment. She was issued infringement notices for defected tyres, not obey police direction, exceed speed more than 20km/h, and fail to comply with notice direction in relation to section 7/8/9 – COVID19.
- Officers from Murray River Police District were patrolling the West Albury area, when they came across a car parked in Kremur Street just after midnight yesterday. Inside the vehicle, officers located four men, aged 18, 20, 21 and 21, who were allegedly drinking alcohol and not following social distancing regulations. All four men were issued 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.
Woman detained and assaulted; pair charged – Hunter region
A man and woman will face court today after allegedly holding a woman against her will and assaulting her in the Hunter last week.
About 3pm last Tuesday (14 April 2020), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended a home on Capper Street, Telarah, following reports for a concern for welfare.
Upon arrival, police located a 28-year-old woman locked in a room suffering multiple injuries to her face and chest.
She was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.
A crime scene was established at the Telarah property and detectives commenced an investigation.
Following extensive inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a home on Logan Road, Rutherford, about 8am on Friday 17 April 2020, where they spoke with a 30-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman.
Both were arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station.
The 30-year-old Telarah man was charged with aggravated sexual assault in company inflict actual bodily harm, take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm, and two counts of supply prohibited drug.
The 21-year-old Rutherford woman was charged with aggravated sexual assault in company inflict actual bodily harm, take/detain with intent to obtain advantage occasion actual bodily harm, take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm and possess prohibited drug.
Both were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Saturday 18 April 2020, where they were again refused bail to face the same court via AVL today (Monday 20 April 2020).
City leaders join forces in historic coordination of COVID-19 recovery
Seventeen CEOs and city leaders met today via video link to develop a blueprint for Newcastle’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
The City Taskforce consists of business, industry and government representatives from key sectors across the local economy, from education to finance to tourism and the arts.
All leaders openly shared insights on the significant impact to their business, industry and most importantly, their people and customers.
City of Newcastle’s City Taskforce consists of:
· City of Newcastle, Lord Mayor Cr Nuatali Nelmes, Chair
· Hunter New England Health CEO Mr Michael DiRienzo
· Wests Group CEO, Mr Philip Gardner
· NIB CEO, Mr Mark Fitzgibbon
· Port of Newcastle CEO, Mr Craig Carmody
· University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO
· Colliers International Managing Director, Mr Peter Macadam
· Greater Bank CEO, Mr Scott Morgan
· Hunter Business Chamber CEO Mr Bob Hawes
· Hunternet CEO, Mr Tony Cade
· Independent Creative Alliance’s Ms Justine Coggan
· Newcastle Airport CEO, Dr Peter Cock
· Alloggio CEO, Mr Will Creedon
· Newcastle Permanent CEO, Ms Bernadette Inglis
· Regional NSW Director, Ms Alison McGaffin
· Samaritans CEO, Mr Brad Webb
· Hunter Workers Secretary, Mr Daniel Wallace.
City of Newcastle has committed $500,000 to the project, as well as in-kind support, as part of its COVID-19 Community and Economic Development Resilience Package, while each organisation will provide staffing resources to implement initiatives.
This will initially fund an Expression of Interest (EOI) program to provide innovative and targeted responses to those local industries hardest hit by the virus.
Chaired by Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, the Taskforce will coordinate a concerted, strategic approach to recovery.
“This is an historic moment in the City’s response to this global crisis, as we work to maximise the capacity and speed of our recovery,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Never before has our city seen such an unprecedented level of collaboration amongst its leaders.
“I’d like to thank all 17 CEOs for accepting my invitation to give their time to the Taskforce. Each has their own responsibilities in terms of leading their organisations’ response during and out of COVID-19.
“Despite this, they are making time to assist City of Newcastle in ensuring that we leave no stone unturned in identifying anything and everything that can be done to help our city now and during its medium to long term recovery.”
The Taskforce will liaise with lead agencies Hunter New England Health for Public Health updates; Regional NSW on government responses; and the Hunter Research Foundation Centre around economic impacts.
It will meet fortnightly through to the year’s end. While the Taskforce has been established as a Newcastle-centric initiative, its benefits will be felt well beyond LGA boundaries
-With-Names-V1.jpg.aspx "City-Taskforce-Zoom-meeting-(original)-With-Names-V1.jpg")
Two charged after drug-filled yacht intercepted off coast near Lake Macquarie
Two men have been charged after a yacht suspected to be carrying hundreds of kilograms of methylamphetamine was intercepted off the NSW coast near Lake Macquarie.
The arrests follow a multi-agency investigation known as Operation ROMANI, comprising the Australian Federal Police (AFP), New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) and Australian Border Force (ABF), collaborating with agencies from the United Kingdom and New Caledonia.
On Thursday 16 April 2020, New Caledonian authorities – French Customs and French National Police in New Caledonia – advised the AFP’s International Command and the ABF about the arrival of a vessel of interest into Pacific waters the previous day.
It will be alleged the vessel had been in waters near Norfolk Island and then had travelled to New Caledonia. The crew declared to New Caledonian authorities they had travelled from Mexico.
As a result of this information, the Australian investigative team identified a second vessel of interest – a yacht known as the La Fayette. Police allege this yacht had been loaded with border controlled drugs in waters around Norfolk Island.
On Friday 17 April 2020, the La Fayette was located by ABF’s Marine Border Command on the East Coast of Australia heading south. The vessel’s movements continued to be tracked as the joint Australian investigative team prepared for an on water interdiction.
About 4.30am yesterday (Saturday 18 April 2020), NSWPF Marine Area Command vessel NEMESIS interdicted the La Fayette about 50 nautical miles east of Lake Macquarie, NSW.
The two crew members – a 33-year-old New Zealand man and a 34-year-old man holding dual UK/South African citizenship – were arrested on board.
The yacht was towed by the NEMESIS to the NSWPF Marine Area Command in Balmain about 1.45pm yesterday.
It will be alleged investigators located more than 1000 packages wrapped in plastic on board the vessel. Specialist forensic officers are continuing to deconstruct the boat and examine the contents, which is believed to contain methamphetamine. Further forensic testing will be undertaken to determine the exact weight and purity of the seized substances.
The men were taken to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs.
They were both refused bail to appear before Parramatta Bail Court today (Sunday 19 April 2020).
The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Eastern Command Justine Gough said even as world borders are physically closing, police remain alert for attempts to infiltrate transnational borders to bring illicit drugs to Australian markets.
“Organised crime groups will stop at nothing – not even a global pandemic – to try and flood our communities with drugs for greed and profit.
“Our cross-border collaboration remains strong in these times, and through our relationships worldwide, we will not stop in our efforts to protect our communities from the destruction of illicit drugs.”
NSWPF State Crime Commander, Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith, said significant NSW Police Force resources have been utilised to aggressively target and intercept the yacht before the drugs could make it to the streets of NSW.
“The expertise of the Marine Area Command, assisted by the Maritime Border Command, has enabled police to execute a tactical navigation plan and successfully board the yacht and arrest two men,” Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
“In light of the restrictions and guidelines under the Public Health Act, we have taken numerous additional precautions in accordance with COVID-19 protocol and as a result the two offenders and all officers on the vessel were decontaminated and tested for the virus.
“With every seizure we make, a syndicate is taken down and it’s evident this criminal network has gone to extreme measures to traffic drugs into NSW with current international travel restrictions.
“Since the start of this year the Organised Crime Squad, with the assistance of our law enforcement partners, has seized hundreds of kilos of prohibited drugs and disrupted multiple criminal networks and their activities.”
ABF Acting Regional Commander for NSW Garry Low said this operation shows the importance of cooperation and shared intelligence across the South Pacific.
“The ABF continues to work closely with our law enforcement partners, here and abroad, to catch and prosecute criminals, no matter where in the supply chain they sit,” Acting Commander Low said.
“Criminal syndicates should know, that not only will we find your drugs concealments when they reach our sea ports and airports, but we’re also watching your movements before you reach Australia. The ABF has eyes on our oceans, not just on our land borders.”
This investigation has been an ongoing operation with the UK’s National Crime Agency and its office in Canberra, looking into British Organised Crime groups targeting Australia.
Joint investigations are continuing with agencies in Australia and offshore, and further arrests have not been ruled out.