Caledonian Singleton licensee charged for alleged Covid breaches, pub to reopen as takeaway-only
A Hunter Valley publican has been charged with not complying with Covid directions after allegedly flouting the rules by serving unvaccinated patrons “on multiple occasions”.
Police & Courts
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The licensee of a Hunter Valley pub dubbed the ‘Freedom Hotel’ has been charged with two counts of not complying with Covid directions after allegedly serving unvaccinated patrons despite multiple police warnings and six fines.
Brad Hill, 57, was charged on Monday afternoon and will face Singleton Local Court on December 2.
“Since Monday 11 October 2021, officers from Hunter Valley Police District have attended the George St venue on multiple occasions in response to reports of breaches of the public health orders, including the failure to ensure unvaccinated persons are not on premises,” a police spokeswoman said in a statement.
“Multiple warnings and penalty infringement notices were issued to staff and customers over a number of days before the venue was closed under a Section 11 Order issued by NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller on Saturday.”
The hotel will not serve dine-in patrons when its police-ordered closure ends.
In a Facebook post on Monday night, management said it would operate as takeaway-only when doors reopen on Wednesday.
“Bear with us as we navigate our way through this testing time of segregation and discrimination orders imposed on the good free people of Australia,” the post said.
“The Cali will always be open and welcoming to all. Stay tuned more to follow.”
The post drew close to 3000 likes and hundreds of comments of support from anti-vaxxers.
The hotel – which rose to notoriety after hanging a ‘Jab or no jab all welcome … Free Australia’ banner from its balcony during the NSW lockdown – was the target of police when stay-at-home orders lifted last week.
In a Facebook post on October 7, management described vaccination rules as “evil and disgusting”.
“The Cali Hotel Singleton would like to say a big thank you to the hundreds of thousands of businesses, business owners and their families for standing strong and tall in what can only be described as an evil and disgusting act being carried out upon our fellow citizens,” the post said.
“Thank you for standing for freedom of choice, freedom of movement, freedom to speak, freedom to work, freedom to provide, freedom to travel, freedom to question, freedom to have an opinion and all other freedoms that are our God-given rights and especially standing against any form whatsoever of discrimination.
“The Cali is open to all, always has been, always will be with no questions asked. United we stand and free Australia.”
Mr Hill and his staff were issued a total of six fines for the alleged breaches before the hotel was closed.
“Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have served a licensed premises on George St, Singleton with an order to close … due to alleged repeated breaches of the public health orders,” NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said on Saturday.
“The closure order follows a number of previous interactions with the licensee – a 57-year-old man – due to repeated and continued breaches of the Public Health Order by allegedly allowing – and not taking steps to prevent – unvaccinated people being at the premises.”
A GoFundMe campaign fundraising to pay the Caledonian’s fines collected more than $1200 in its first day.
“The Cali Hotel in Singleton has stood up for the rights of every Australian no matter their medical status,” organiser Steven Townsend wrote.
“They have stood up against a government who is happy to segregate its own citizens due to their own medical choice.
“They have put their money where their mouth is and taken a financial hit with loss of business due to police shutdown.
“I for one don’t think they should be out of pocket one cent.”
Under current NSW restrictions only fully-vaccinated people can visit venues including pubs and restaurants.
Unvaccinated people will have the same freedoms when the rules change again on December 1.
Mr Hill has been contacted for comment.
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