Investigation finds ‘no issue’ with Covid officers powers

Major review finds “no issue” with Covid officers’ power amid speculation Victorians who copped fines for Covid breaches may have had them withdrawn due to a bureaucratic bungle.

Dozens of recently appointed officers were investigated in the embarrassing blunder. Picture: Sarah Matray

An internal review of the state’s 223 Covid officers has found no issues with their powers or authorisation.

A Department of Justice and Community Safety investigation was launched last week after concerns were raised about whether dozens of authorised officers had the power to issue fines.

It was feared the state government would be forced to withdraw Covid fines if it was found they had been issued unlawfully.

A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesperson said on Thursday the review found no issues with the powers, authorisation and appointment of any Authorised Officers.

“A review of our administrative processes relating to workplace pandemic enforcement outcomes found there are no issues with the powers, authorisation and appointment of our Authorised Officers,” he said.

“Out of caution, seven infringements are being reissued under the new Pandemic Orders.”

An investigation will look into whether dozens of authorised officers had the power to issue fines. Picture: Alex Coppel.

The review investigated the delegated authority of all 223 of Victoria’s Authorised Officers as well as the 2,637 compliance and enforcement outcomes they had issued.

It found seven infringements were incorrectly sent out under the Victorian Chief Health Officer Directions, instead of the new Pandemic Orders.

The fines will now be reissued.

A recruitment drive targeting retired police to bolster Victoria’s frontline Covid response was launched in late 2020.

Under the state’s pandemic legislation, officers were granted sweeping powers to detain, move on, arrest and fine members of the public and undertake paid training before being assigned to specific roles.