No charges for removalists a ‘slap in the face’ to Victorians

The NSW removalists who plunged 6.7 million Victorians into lockdown will not be charged, despite promises to “throw the book” at them.

The NSW removalists who sparked Victoria’s latest Covid outbreak will not be charged.

As first revealed by the Saturday Herald Sun, Victoria Police has declared there was no need for criminal action against the removalist crew.

And the Department of Health has dished out only one $200 fine.

This is despite footage showing the removalists breaching their workers’s permit by not wearing masks and failing to socially distance when coming into contact with people outside Maribyrnong’s Ariele Apartments on July 8.

Covid Commander Jeroen Weimar. Picture: Getty Images

On July 12, Premier Daniel Andrews sent a warning to anyone travelling from NSW on a permit, saying: “For those travelling across the border, the permits are real, the conditions are real. You will be fined, you will be found and you’ve got every chance of becoming very famous if you do not comply with those permit conditions”.

Two days later, COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar said health authorities would “throw the book” at the three removalists.

But on Tuesday, Mr Weimar said just one removalist would receive a $200 fine.

“(Department of Health) under its standing powers will issue a small fine of $200 to one … for failing to comply with mask-wearing,” he said.

“This has been a complex and extensive investigation involving at least two police jurisdictions, CCTV records across the entire state, logbooks and phone records.

“My thanks to the investigation teams of both organisations and I’m pleased we can draw a line under this incident as we start to draw a line under the subsequent outbreak.”

Mr Andrews on Tuesday said he had no advice or any proposals to change penalties or rewrite laws in the wake of the removalist saga.

“I’m not giving them a lot of thought, frankly. We have changed the rules so that can’t happen again.

“We’re all human and it is challenging and, you know, everyone’s got an excuse for not doing this and perhaps doing that.

CCTV footage showing the three NSW removalists at the Ariele Apartments. Picture: Channel 7

“We all have to use common sense, be aware of the rules, do our best to follow the rules and pleasingly, rather than focusing on one or two people who have done the wrong thing potentially, if you focus on the vast majority of Victorians, they are doing the right thing.”

“It’s not a matter for me. A mask-wearing infringement has been issued and beyond that Victoria Police can speak to what they are, or aren’t doing.”

The removalists delivered Covid’s deadly Delta strain to Victoria, plunging 6.7 million people into lockdown.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman on Tuesday said the matter was now closed.

“The Department of Health’s compliance and enforcement team yesterday informed Victoria Police that it has completed its investigation into the Maribyrnong removalists in relation to any breaches of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act and CHO directions,” a the spokeswoman said.

“The investigation findings have been provided to Victoria Police for noting, and to consider, whether any further investigation is required in relation to other legislation.

“Victoria Police has undertaken an assessment of the material provided and determined there is no evidence of other offending.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the punishment of the removalists was ‘not a matter for me’. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“As such, Victoria Police will not be taking any action and this matter is closed from a police perspective.”

A Department of Health spokeswoman said the matter had been investigated extensively, with all angles having been explored.

“Under the Stay Safe Directions, it is permitted to remove a face covering whilst undertaking strenuous work and a fine has been given to an individual for not wearing a mask in an indoor public setting when they were not performing that work,” the spokeswoman said.

“The Department of Health and Victoria Police have found no evidence the individuals committed any other offences.”

The removalists entered Victoria with a valid permit – the Specified Worker (Low Workplace Interaction) permit.

This permit is designed for commercial freight workers, the Department of Health said.

APARTMENT RESIDENT’S FURY AT MOVE

Ariele Apartment resident Cherryll Scott slammed the decision not to charge the three removalists as “mind-boggling”.

Speaking to the Herald Sun on her last day of quarantine, the Maribyrnong resident said the law needed to be changed if it couldn’t apply to this case.

“I was amazed they haven’t broken any laws,” she said.

“Anyone could do exactly what they did and put the state back into lockdown.

“I’m really angry about it. It’s the first time I’ve been angry in quarantine.”

Thankfully, Ms Scott was cleared by the department this morning to leave quarantine at midnight on Tuesday.

She said work kept her busy during the week, but she missed her morning walks during quarantine.

“Mentally I’m totally fine, but I go for a walk every day at 6am and not being able to do that has been the hardest part,” she said. “It really sets me up for the day.”

The residents of Maribyrnong’s Arielle Apartments will be freed from lockdown along with the rest of the state. Picture: David Crosling

When asked whether she would talk to a lawyer about civil action against the removalists, Ms Scott said she was “still thinking about it”.

Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said the decision not to charge the removalists was a “slap in the face” to all Victorians.

“The Andrews government are all talk and no action when they said the book would be thrown at them,” Mr Southwick said.

“What a slap in the face to all Victorians that Sydney removalists won’t be fined or charged after causing the lockdown and refusing to co-operate with authorities.”

“Victorians are all doing it really tough in lockdown and they expect those who did the wrong thing to be punished. To think these people have got away with no consequences is simply not fair.

“How can people be expected to follow the rules when there are inconsistencies and no consequences? It just smells of absolute hypocrisy.”