Phillip Island revellers fined for breaching lockdown rules

Phillip Island partygoers have been slapped with fines for defying lockdown after restrictions returned to regional Victoria.

Police have fined at least nine people violating lockdown rules in Phillip Island including two separate groups caught partying.

Senior Sergeant Andy O’Brien said of the 200 cars travelling across the Phillip Island bridge on Friday night none were from Melbourne.

But once regional Victoria returned to lockdown at 1pm on Saturday, Sen-Sgt O’Brien said police received a number of complaints.

A family from Clyde North was busted staying in an Airbnb in Sunset Strip and both parents were fined $1817.

Airbnb head of public policy for Australia Derek Nolan said the service was “extremely serious” about supporting government efforts to combat Covid.

“As part of this support, we have reiterated to our community on a number of occasions – including via multiple communication channels to Hosts during the past fortnight – the critical need to follow government advice and adhere to the rules,” he said.

“Everyone must do their part to combat Covid – that includes being aware of their obligations.”

Another seven fines were dished out to two separate groups caught partying in Cape Woolamai and Sunderland Bay on Saturday night.

Sen-Sgt O’Brien said the breaches were disappointing.

“Some people are always going to push the boundaries,” he said.

“But we all need to start doing the right thing.”

It comes after Warrnambool partygoers racked up more than $100,000 in fines and a Mornington Peninsula Airbnb host was slapped with a $10,900 infringement for defying lockdown laws.

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