Gosford Labor MP Liesl Tesch accused of doorknocking, demanding proof of residence
Police have been given a letter claiming Gosford pollie Liesl Tesch has been knocking on doors in her electorate and demanding proof of residence. The unrepentant MP says it is her responsibility to ensure the safety of the local community during the coronavirus pandemic.
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A NSW Labor MP has become embroiled in a dispute with a “non-local” who – like dumped Liberal minister Don Harwin – claimed he was simply staying at his second residence.
Gosford MP Liesl Tesch said the man was among several people she had “challenged” to prove that they lived locally as part of a community effort to protect the area’s large elderly population.
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She said he appeared to take offence to the question, declaring he was staying at his second home.
“He thrust his phone up in my face,” Ms Tesch said.
“I was of the understanding he was staying in his second home.
“There are lots of homes in this area that are holiday rentals. My electorate is one of the most fragile and touristy electorates in the state and we’ve already had the breakout here in Gosford Hospital.”
Another Pearl Beach occupant and his daughter was so upset by Ms Tesch asking for proof of where they lived that he wrote a letter of complaint to local Liberal Federal MP Lucy Wicks.
The man, who requested his name be withheld, alleged Ms Tesch had demanded to see a licence.
His daughter advised they were in the home as her mother had passed away a few days earlier and that she was now living there.
“Totally cruel and I would suspect beyond the authority of a member in opposition,” the man wrote.
“This member has been knocking on doors and demanding to view occupants’ drivers licence.
“I write to advise simply because this is unacceptable, and perhaps and certainly careless political opportunist/unauthorised behaviour.”
Police Minister David Elliott, who was made aware of the complaint today, said the letter had been passed on to NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller.
Mr Elliott said anyone with concerns about people breaching the Public Health Order should call Crimestoppers.
“There is no need for individuals to be doorknocking and running their own investigations,” he said. “They can call Crimestoppers.
“I would encourage all community leaders to refer these matter to police.”
A COVID OBSERVATION
— Adam Spencer (@adambspencer) April 10, 2020
I’m incredibly lucky
I live 5 min walk from a really quiet beach less than 2 hours from Sydney
In Iso I can walk down, run for N hour, walk home and not come within 20m if anyone
BUT TODAY THERE ARE DOZENS OF AIRBNB HOLIDAYMAKERS WALKING THE BEACH#WTF
Asked about the letter, Ms Tesch said it was her responsibility to ensure the safety of the local community.
“As the local member my responsibility is to do everything I can to ensure the safety of my community,” she said.
“Pearl Beach has a large proportion of retiree residents, making this health threat a matter of particular concern here.
“It is usually a beautiful holiday location and we all look forward to it resuming that status once this crisis is over. But now is not the time for tourists to be visiting.”
Ms Tesch is not the only one concerned about non-locals sneaking in an Easter break, with former radio presenter Adam Spencer taking to Twitter to vent at “Airbnb holiday-makers” walking the beach.
“What the actual f….,” he tweeted.
“How on Earth can you have missed the message? One of you selfish pricks accidentally coughs at a local restaurant, hanging on as a takeaway with locals support, and it’s all f…….g over for them.
“Saw the usual suspect Airbnb houses with new cars pulling up all of yesterday. Kids the same ages as mine who I’ve never seen at school.”
HARWIN OUT OF HIDING
Back in Sydney and former minister Don Harwin stepped out of hiding after his dramatic resignation, with the senior NSW Liberal spotted on Saturday taking an early morning walk through a waterfront park near the Elizabeth Bay unit where he had been holed up.
Wearing sunglasses, black shorts, Lonsdale T-shirt and white joggers, Mr Harwin, 55, looked relaxed as he strolled in the sunshine alongside Yarranabbe Park in Rushcutters Bay.
Mr Harwin tendered his resignation after he was busted at his Central Coast beach pad despite the state government repeatedly urging the public to stay at home.
The former Arts and Aboriginal Affairs Minister also had a house guest — former Liberal candidate Geoffrey Winters — who is understood to have recently returned to Australia from the UK.
Mr Harwin was fined $1000 by police for breaching a Ministerial Direction under the Public Health Act.
Several Berejiklian government ministers spoke to Mr Harwin after the controversy erupted on Thursday, with some urging he face the media to answer questions.
A close factional friend of Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Mr Harwin was counselled on Friday by allies, who believed he needed to fall on his sword for the good of the government.
Ms Berejiklian had the “difficult conversation” with him about 4.30pm, saying he needed to resign or be stood down.
In a written statement Mr Harwin said on Friday night he did not want to be a distraction from the “work of the government in fighting the coronavirus crisis”.
“I very much regret that my residential arrangements have become an issue during this time.”
He hinted that he might yet dispute the police fine, saying, “at all times I have sought to act in accordance with pubic health orders and I sought advice that my living arrangements complied with those orders — I remain confident I have acted in accordance with those orders.”
Less than 24 hours after police issued Mr Harwin with a $1000 fine for travelling back and forth between his Elizabeth Bay primary residence and the Central Coast beach getaway, the veteran politician with a 20-year career stepped aside.
There were also further questions being asked about Mr Winters, including why he was at Mr Harwin’s retreat, after arriving back to Australia from the UK on March 17.
Attempts to reach Mr Winters were unsuccessful.