Mundine to fight Covid charge over Bunnings visit

Former boxer and rugby league player Anthony Mundine is set to fight allegations he entered a Bunnings store without a mask.

Retired boxing great Anthony Mundine is set to fight charges he breached Covid-19 protocols after allegedly flouting the state’s mask rules when he entered a Bunnings store in southwestern Sydney without a face covering.

“The Man” was fined over an alleged incident at the Bunnings in Kingsgrove on July 21, with police alleging the former boxer and NRL player refused to scan a QR code at the store’s entrance.

Mr Mundine had claimed he had an exemption to not wear a mask and made a purchase before leaving, police have alleged.

Detectives attached to Campsie Police Area Command launched an investigation and then visited a home in South Hurstville where they spoke to Mr Mundine.

The 46-year-old was issued with a $1000 fine for breaking Covid rules.

He was charged with not complying with a noticed direction and on Tuesday in the Bankstown Local Court he pleaded not guilty.

Anthony Mundine was photographed at an anti-lockdown rally in July. Picture: Twitter

His lawyer John Giang entered a plea of not guilty and he is due to return to court in January.

The high-profile and outspoken former sportsman was first slapped with a $1000 fine for flying from Sydney to Ballina on July 9 during the citywide lockdown.

“Officers from Richmond Police District issued a 46-year-old man with a $1000 penalty infringement notice after inquiries revealed he travelled from metropolitan Sydney to Ballina without a reasonable excuse on Wednesday, 7 July, 2021,” NSW Police said in a statement at the time.

He last month pleaded not guilty to not complying with a noticed direction and is also set to fight those allegations.

Anthony Mundine is set to fight allegations he breached the public health orders. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

In July he was also issued with a court attendance notice after appearing at a Sydney anti-lockdown rally.

He was charged with not complying with a noticed direction and is due to return to court later this week.

Mr Mundine has been outspoken on social media about his anti-vaccination views and he has in the past advertised posters for so-called “freedom” rallies.

“My people don’t get conned in getting the shot,” he wrote on Facebook earlier this year.

“Do your research it’s a death wish.

“F*** the travel for now we fight that s*** in court it’s all fear mongering.”