Businessman Neville Power sentenced for breaching Western Australia’s strict Covid-19 laws

Businessman Neville Power has learnt his fate after admitting he breached Western Australia’s strict Covid-19 laws.

The man who was once in charge of the National Covid-19 Commission Advisory Board has been spared an immediate prison sentence after flouting Western Australia’s strict quarantine laws.

Businessman Neville Power and his son Nicholas pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a direction by flying into WA on a private helicopter without completing a G2G pass or quarantining in October year.

The Perth Magistrates Court was told Power travelled to his farm in Queensland, where he did some cattle mustering, then flew back to WA with his son.

They arrived in Exmouth, in the state’s north — where they were captured on CCTV not wearing face masks — then travelled down to Perth the next day.

At the time, Queensland was deemed a low-risk state, but travellers were still required to isolate for two weeks.

After dodging quarantine, Power then attended the Telethon Ball several days later.

Neville Power admitted breaching WA’s strict Covid-19 laws. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Sentencing was put off twice, but on Wednesday magistrate Elizabeth Woods finally revealed their punishment.

Both men were sentenced to eight-month prison terms, which were wholly suspended for eight months.

Among the references provided to the court for Power was one from billionaire Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew Forrest.

Following his guilty plea, Power quit as chairman and non-executive director of Perth Airport.

He also took a leave of absence from multiple boards including Strike Energy, APM and the WA Museum Foundation.