Category: NSW News

NSW frontline healthcare workers will be provided with free accommodation to protect their loved ones as part of $100 million in extra measures to support frontline staff battling COVID-19.
The NSW Government is allocating almost $60 million to provide doctors, nurses, paramedics and other hospital and ambulance staff with the option of staying in out-of-home accommodation during the pandemic.
The package will also support medical research and vaccine trials to beat COVID-19, as well as commercialise research products and boost domestic supply chains.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this funding would not only provide support for healthcare workers now but would also give them the resources to tackle COVID-19 head-on in the coming months.
“Nobody should go to work and worry that it will put their families at risk especially when they are working so hard to protect us. This funding is the least we can do to keep healthcare workers and their families safe,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Our health professionals are among the best in the world and we must do everything we can to help them not just now but also in the weeks and months ahead as we battle this virus.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said providing free accommodation to hospital staff was a crucial plank in the health support package.
“The last thing the brave men and women in our health system should have to worry about is that their jobs will result in their loved ones being exposed to this virus,” Mr Perrottet said.
“As was the case during the bushfires our health system will have all the resources it needs so our frontline health workers can save lives and look after themselves.”
Local health districts will work with staff to make sure accommodation is close to work or their families, depending on individual needs.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said no stone would be left unturned when it came to supporting the health system. Mr Hazzard said the vital health package will also include $25 million in funding for medical research and vaccine trials to help develop a cure to beat COVID-19 as well as $11 million to quickly get work from NSW’s world class universities and partner research institutions to market.
“Frontline health staff who have the community’s back now know that the community and the government have their back. This funding gives them options on accommodation when they’re doing battle with COVID-19,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Options to protect their family and to protect themselves are critical, and now they can choose what’s best in their own circumstances without worrying about a drain on their budget.”
The package also includes $10 million to work with NSW engineering, electrical and manufacturing businesses to urgently undertake pilot projects to produce ventilators and other critical medical equipment locally.
Key elements of the support package include:

• $58 million for health worker accommodation
• $25 million for medical research and vaccine trials
• $11 million for commercialisation of research products
• $10 million Funding to partner with industry to boost domestic supply chains.

The NSW Government has already committed $700 million extra funding for NSW Health as part of a $2.3 billion health boost and economic stimulus package announced on March 17.
This funding boost is helping double ICU capacity, preparing for additional COVID-19 testing, purchasing additional ventilators and medical equipment and establishing acute respiratory clinics.

The NSW Police Force investigation is underway to examine the circumstances surrounding the docking and disembarking of the Ruby Princess last month.
Earlier this week, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller announced the commencement of a criminal investigation into the communications, actions, and other circumstances that led to the docking and disembarking of the vessel at Sydney Harbour on Thursday 19 March 2020.
A team of 30 detectives from across State Crime, Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics and Marine Area Commands have been seconded to Strike Force Bast, who will be assisted by intelligence analysts and other specialist officers.
The first investigations briefing was conducted this morning (Wednesday 8 April 2020), and taskings have since commenced.
Strike force investigators will interview high-priority witnesses in coming days, but they are still urging those with relevant information to contact Crime Stoppers as soon as possible.
Anyone who has information relevant to the investigation, including details of symptoms, illness, or medical advice during the voyage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
The community is reminded that their information is treated in strict confidence.

Police have charged one person with offences under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 15 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) since the last update.
Charges:

• About 8.40pm yesterday (Tuesday 7 April 2020), police from Tuggerah Lakes Police District were patrolling Yarramalong Rd, Wyong Creek, when they stopped the driver of a Hyundai for a random breath test, which returned a positive reading. The 27-year-old man was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station, where a breath analysis returned a reading of 0.200. When asked about his reason for being out, it’s alleged the man was uncooperative and could not provide a reasonable excuse. While in custody, it’s further alleged the man urinated throughout the cell. He was charged with drive with high range PCA, destroy/damage property, and not comply with notice direction. The man is due to appear in Wyong Local Court on 29 April 2020.

PINs include:

• About 12pm yesterday (Tuesday 7 April 2020) officers attached to Mt Druitt Police Area Command were conducting a proactive patrol at a shopping mall in Mt Druitt when they located a man sitting at a picnic table. Police spoke with the 20-year-old man and established he had been warned on three separate occasions the day before (Monday 6 April 2020) after being sighted at the same location. He was issued with a $1000 PIN.

• During the same proactive patrol, at 12.20pm, officers spoke with a 37-year-old man in the vicinity of the shopping mall. He advised police he had left his home as he had to get out and see his friends. Officers issued him with a warning. About two hours later, at 2.30pm, the same male was seen sleeping on a bench nearby. He was issued with a $1000 PIN.

• About 2.15pm yesterday, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended a home at Edgeworth after receiving information a number of people were at the location in breach of a ministerial direction. On arrival, police spoke with two female residents of the property and two male visitors. Further inquiries established there had been previous calls to police for social gatherings at the location. The 25-year-old and 21-year-old men were each issued with a $1000 PIN.

• About 11.45am yesterday, officers from Inner West Police Area Command were conducting a proactive patrol when they observed two males sitting on a ledge. The men were not able to give a reasonable excuse for being there, and further inquiries established they had been given formal warnings for breaching a ministerial direction the previous evening. They were issued a move on direction and given a second warning. About 2.45pm, police were made aware of a group of four males congregating at a park nearby. Officers established two of the men (a 43-year-old man and a 58-year-old man) had been involved in the earlier interaction and they were issued with $1000 PINs. The remaining two men were given a warning and move on direction.

• About 8am yesterday, officers from Chifley Police District were patrolling the Bathurst township when they sighted a man walking along the footpath. Police spoke with the 41-year-old man, who gave several different reasons for being out of his home. He was issued with a $1000 PIN.

• About 8.45pm yesterday, officers from Newcastle City Police District stopped a vehicle on Russel Road, New Lambton, as part of inquiries of into an unrelated incident. Police spoke with the female driver and 27-year-old male passenger. Subsequent checks revealed the man had previous been given two warnings under the Public Health Act in the previous two days. He was issued a $1000 PIN after being unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being out, while the woman was given a warning, and both were directed to return home.

• Just after 6.30pm yesterday, officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command stopped a vehicle on Campbell Parade, Bondi, and spoke with the 30-year-old male driver, who advised he was going to visit a friend. Checks revealed the man’s vehicle was unregistered and didn’t have his licence on him. The Tamarama man was issued with Traffic Infringement Notices totalling $2172 for driving unregistered and uninsured and not carrying a licence, as well as a $1000 PIN under the Public Health Act.

• Police have issued three PINs after responding to a noise complaint in Forster last night. About 7.30pm, officers attached to Manning Great Lakes Police District attended a unit on South Street. As officers approached the door, the occupants were allegedly heard referring to “police” and the need for “social distancing.” Officers entered the unit and spoke with four people, one of whom resided at the address. The others, a 20-year-old woman and two men aged 29 and 25 were unable to provide a valid reason for not being home and were issued with $1000 fines.

• Three juveniles have been issued PINs after ignoring warnings to return to their homes. About 10.15pm on Monday (6 April 2020), officers attached to Wollongong Police District attended a unit on Carrington Street, Woonona, and spoke with four young people. One of them lived at the address, but the remaining three did not and had received warnings earlier that day regarding their failure to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. The three boys, aged 15, 16 and 17, have been issued with PINs for failing to be home without a reasonable excuse.

Since 17 March 2020, police have issued 11 Court Attendance Notices, and 136 PINs for breaches of the Public Health Act.
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.

A woman has been charged with assault after she allegedly spat on a supermarket worker in the South Coast today.
About 2pm (Wednesday 8 April 2020), a woman attended a supermarket on Burton Street, Vincentia, and was asked to follow new social distancing procedures while shopping due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The woman, aged 35, became verbally abusive to one staff member before being denied entry into the store by a second staff member.
Upon being refused entry, the 35-year-old allegedly became aggressive and when she was asked to leave by the staff member, a 49-year-old woman, she allegedly spat in her face.
A further physical struggle followed, with the 35-year-old allegedly pulling the 49-year-old woman’s hair, gouging her eyes and causing jewellery to be damaged, before she left the scene.
Both women suffered minor injuries.
Officers attached to South Coast Police District were alerted to the incident.
Following inquiries, police attended a home on Walmer Ave, Sanctuary Point, and arrested a 35-year-old woman.
She was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice to appear at Nowra Local Court on Monday 15 June 2020, for the offences of common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and destroy or damage property.

The NSW Police Force has been joined by the Australian Defence Force to assist in quarantine compliance at selected NSW Ports.
As part of arrangements with Australian Border Force relating to the management of shipping in NSW, the Marine Area Command has coordinated the deployment of police to the ports of Newcastle, Port Kembla, Port Botany and White Bay.
To assist with deployments, ADF personnel will be stationed at selected ports to monitor compliance under the Public Health (COVID-19 Maritime Quarantine) Order 2020.
NSW Police Force officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command and Lake Illawarra and Wollongong Police Districts, supported by ADF personnel commenced deployments at Port Botany and Port Kembla yesterday (Tuesday 7 April 2020).
Deployments to other ports – including Newcastle and Eden – are expected to roll out later this week.
The ADF personnel are in supporting roles and are not authorised as law enforcement officers.

NSW frontline healthcare workers will be provided with free accommodation to protect their loved ones as part of $100 million in extra measures to support frontline staff battling COVID-19.
The NSW Government is allocating almost $60 million to provide doctors, nurses, paramedics and other hospital and ambulance staff with the option of staying in out-of-home accommodation during the pandemic.
The package will also support medical research and vaccine trials to beat COVID-19, as well as commercialise research products and boost domestic supply chains.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this funding would not only provide support for healthcare workers now but would also give them the resources to tackle COVID-19 head-on in the coming months.
“Nobody should go to work and worry that it will put their families at risk especially when they are working so hard to protect us. This funding is the least we can do to keep healthcare workers and their families safe,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Our health professionals are among the best in the world and we must do everything we can to help them not just now but also in the weeks and months ahead as we battle this virus.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said providing free accommodation to hospital staff was a crucial plank in the health support package.
“The last thing the brave men and women in our health system should have to worry about is that their jobs will result in their loved ones being exposed to this virus,” Mr Perrottet said.
“As was the case during the bushfires our health system will have all the resources it needs so our frontline health workers can save lives and look after themselves.”
Local health districts will work with staff to make sure accommodation is close to work or their families, depending on individual needs.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said no stone would be left unturned when it came to supporting the health system. Mr Hazzard said the vital health package will also include $25 million in funding for medical research and vaccine trials to help develop a cure to beat COVID-19 as well as $11 million to quickly get work from NSW’s world class universities and partner research institutions to market.
“Frontline health staff who have the community’s back now know that the community and the government have their back. This funding gives them options on accommodation when they’re doing battle with COVID-19,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Options to protect their family and to protect themselves are critical, and now they can choose what’s best in their own circumstances without worrying about a drain on their budget.”
The package also includes $10 million to work with NSW engineering, electrical and manufacturing businesses to urgently undertake pilot projects to produce ventilators and other critical medical equipment locally.
Key elements of the support package include:

• $58 million for health worker accommodation
• $25 million for medical research and vaccine trials
• $11 million for commercialisation of research products
• $10 million Funding to partner with industry to boost domestic supply chains.

The NSW Government has already committed $700 million extra funding for NSW Health as part of a $2.3 billion health boost and economic stimulus package announced on March 17.
This funding boost is helping double ICU capacity, preparing for additional COVID-19 testing, purchasing additional ventilators and medical equipment and establishing acute respiratory clinics.

Hundreds of millions of dollars will remain in the hands of NSW businesses from today, giving them much needed cash flow and allowing them more scope to retain employees, with the NSW Government’s payroll tax assistance beginning to take effect.
The NSW Government has deferred payroll tax payments for all businesses for six months in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Businesses with payrolls of $10 million or less will also be eligible for a 25 per cent reduction in their annual liabilities for 2019-20, when they complete their annual reconciliation. These businesses will save around $450 million in payroll tax in 2019-20.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said these measures will provide much needed cash flow and boost the liquidity of business at a critical time.
“This is about ensuring businesses are not paying tax when they are most in need,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Instead of sending the Government a payment we have deferred their tax to free up their funds at this critical time.”
The latest monthly payroll tax payments for businesses are due on 7 April and these payments can be deferred.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the health, families and jobs of the people of the state are all top priorities.
“This will leave money in the pockets of businesses which will help them deal with this once-in-a generation event,” he said.
“These are unprecedented times and we want to give NSW businesses every opportunity to make it through to the other side.”
The NSW Government on 17 March announced the following measures:

• 25 per cent reduction of annual payroll tax liabilities for businesses with payrolls of $10 million or less in 2019-20, meaning these businesses will save a quarter of their annual payroll tax bill for 2019-20. This measure will provide $450 million in tax savings.
• Bringing forward the next round of payroll tax cuts by increasing the threshold to $1 million on 1 July 2020. This measure will provide $56 million in tax savings.

The NSW Government on 27 March announced the following measures:

• The deferral of payroll tax payments for all businesses, including those with payrolls over $10 million, for six months (up to $4 billion deferred). Small businesses that already received a 25 per cent reduction in payroll tax for 2019-20 in the first announcement would now get an additional three-month deferral as well.

On 3 April, the NSW Government announced thousands of small businesses across NSW would receive grants of up to $10,000 under the $750 million Small Business Support Fund.
Mr Perrottet said the NSW Government is doing all it can to help keep businesses afloat.
“We’re supporting them to keep people in jobs and businesses in business,” he said.

A planned police operation will commence tomorrow morning to repatriate those in mandatory self-isolation at a hotel in Sydney CBD.
Since arriving in Australia on Thursday 26 March 2020, 288 people have undertaken their mandatory 14-day self-isolation in Sydney.
This period of self-isolation concludes tomorrow (Wednesday 8 April 2020), and the NSW Police Force is working with travellers to ensure their departure from the hotel is quick, simple and seamless.
Police have been coordinating with the travellers to collate onward travel plans and determine how best to assist their repatriation home, whether in NSW or interstate.
All travellers will undergo a final health check before departing the hotel and will still be required to adhere to all other directions under the Public Health Act as they make their way home.
The next phase of the repatriation operation, which will be those who returned to NSW on or after Sunday 29 March 2020 and are quarantined under the Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order 2020, will begin on Saturday (11 April 2020).

Police have charged six people with offences under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 17 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) since the last update.
Charges:

• About 11.15pm yesterday (Monday 6 April 2020), officers from Fairfield City Police Area Command attempted to stop a Renault hatchback, believed to be stolen, travelling east along Hollywood Drive, Lansvale. A pursuit was initiated and terminated soon after due to safety concerns. With assistance from PolAir, the vehicle was located at a petrol station on Camden Valley Way at Leppington. Police will allege the Renault rammed a Dog Unit vehicle and bollard, before the four occupants of the vehicle – two boys aged 16 and 15 and two girls aged 16 and 14 – were arrested and taken to Fairfield Police Station. All four teenagers were charged with not comply with noticed direction (COVID-19). Additionally, the driver, a 16-year-old boy, was charged with police pursuit, use weapon to prevent lawful detention, drive manner dangerous, take conveyance without consent and other traffic offences. The other three teenagers were charged with carried in conveyance and the group were refused bail to appear before a Children’s Court today (Tuesday 7 April 2020).
• About 9.30am yesterday, police were called to a church at Toronto after reports of a break-in. Officers arrested a 26-year-old man at the scene and conveyed him to Toronto Police Station, where he was charged with break and enter and not comply with noticed direction. The man was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 2 June 2020.
• About 11.20pm yesterday, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were at a licensed premise in Pyrmont for an unrelated matter when security advised them of a female walking on the premises who was subject to an exclusion order. Officers spoke to the woman who could not give a reasonable excuse for being out of her home. She was arrested and taken to Day St Police Station where she was charged with excluded person enter casino and not comply with noticed direction. The 39-year-old was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today.

PINs include:

• About 8.30pm on Saturday (4 April 2020) officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were conducting a patrol in the CBD when they observed a woman who appeared to be intoxicated being assisted by a man on King Street. An ambulance was called and the woman was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for treatment. She was released early the following morning (Sunday 5 April 2020). Police conducted further inquiries and established the 27-year-old woman, a serving Senior Constable attached to Police Transport Command, and 31-year-old man had been at a nearby apartment with a 27-year-old man, a serving Senior Constable attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command, a 28-year-old man, and a 31-year-old woman. Earlier today (7 April 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command issued all five individuals with $1000 PINs for failing to comply with noticed direction.
• About 4pm on Sunday, police were called to a Bateau Bay address after reports of a domestic incident. On arrival, officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police District located a male in his car outside the home. Following further inquiries, police established the 34-year-old male had returned from overseas on Monday 23 March 2020 and was required to be in self-isolation. The man was issued with a $1000 PIN.
• About 2.15pm yesterday, officers from Bankstown Police Area Command were patrolling the area around Middleton Park at Yagoona when they observed a group of four males. Police spoke with the males and they were given a formal warning for breaching a ministerial direction and issued a move on direction, which they complied with. A few hours later, around 4.45pm, police were patrolling the area around Parry Park at Greenacre when they observed a group of five males, one of which they had sighted in the group at Yagoona earlier in the day. The 18-year-old teenager was issued with a $1000 PIN and the remaining four were given move on directions.
• About 4.40pm yesterday, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command attended a business on Day Street after receiving information it was still operating. Officers spoke with the owner of the business, who was issued with a $5000 PIN, and a staff member and customer, who were each issued with $1000 PINs.
• About 4am yesterday, police were called to Crown Street, Woolloomooloo, following reports an unknown man was kicking a door of a home. Officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command attended a short time later and spoke with the 33-year-old man, with checks revealing he was subject to a Public Health order to self-isolate while he awaited COVID-19 test results. The Surry Hills man was issued an infringement and given a move-on direction.
• About 8.15pm yesterday, officers from Oxley Police District stopped a Toyota Kluger on Station Street, Quirindi, and spoke with the 37-year-old female driver and a 46-year-old male passenger. During a search of the vehicle, police located methylamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The man was issued a court attendance notice for possess prohibited drug and possession of equipment for administering prohibited drugs. Further inquiries revealed the woman had been given a warning about non-essential travel about 10.30am while in Muswellbrook. They were each issued with a $1000 PIN and a move-on direction.
• About 12.50am yesterday, officers from Manning/ Great Lakes Police District spoke to a 49-year-old man standing beside his car parked at the Second Head Look Out. The man, from Dubbo, could not provide a legitimate reason for being there. He then entered his vehicle and allegedly reversed in the direction of the police vehicle, narrowly avoiding the driver’s door, before driving into a bollard and attempting to flee on foot. Police approached the man when he entered his vehicle again and refused to leave. Shortly after, the man was arrested and taken to Forster Police Station. It is alleged the man also deliberately sneezed on police and told them he had COVID-19. The man was issued a $1000 PIN and infringed for negligent driving.
• About 1.20am yesterday officers from Sutherland Police Area Command were called to the intersection of Captain Cook Drive and Gannons Road, Woolooware, after a vehicle drove through a road closure barricade. Police spoke to a man with the vehicle who was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for leaving his Greenacre home. He was issued with a $1000 PIN.
• About 3.40am, Lake Illawarra police were patrolling Warilla and spoke to a man on Osborne Parade. When they asked the 20-year-old man what he was doing, he allegedly said he was walking home from drinking in the park. Following inquiries, police noted that the man had been issued a warning the previous day and he was subsequently issued with a $1000 PIN.
• About 4.35pm yesterday, officers from Bankstown Police Area Command were patrolling Parry Park at Greenacre and saw four men standing around a vehicle. One of the men, an 18-year-old, was recognised by officers as having been issued a formal warning for breaching the Public Health act, earlier in the day at Bass Hill. He was issued a $1,000 PIN for breaching the two-person rule. The other men complied with move-on directions

Since 17 March 2020, police have issued 10 Court Attendance Notices, and 122 PINs for breaches of the Public Health Act.
 

Two off-duty police officers have been issued with Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) after breaching public health orders over the weekend.
About 8.30pm on Saturday (4 April 2020) officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were conducting a patrol in Sydney’s CBD when they observed a woman who appeared to be intoxicated being assisted by a man on King Street.
The woman was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for treatment. She was released around 2am the following morning (Sunday 5 April 2020).
Police conducted further inquiries and established the 27-year-old woman, a serving Senior Constable attached to Police Transport Command, and the 31-year-old man had been at a nearby apartment at a social gathering.
A 27-year-old man, a serving Senior Constable attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command, a 28-year-old woman, and a 31-year-old woman, were also in attendance.
Earlier today (7 April 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command issued all five individuals with $1000 PINs for failing to comply with noticed direction under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW).