NSW Health refuses to reveal details of illegal Maroubra gathering to cops

NSW Health is not releasing details to police of an alleged illegal gathering in the Sydney suburb of Maroubra last week, resulting in at least 16 positive cases.

NSW Police on patrol at Sydney's Maroubra Beach, where an illegal party in the suburb resulted in at least 16 infections. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

NSW Health is refusing to provide information to police about an allegedly illegal gathering that occurred in the Sydney suburb of Maroubra, which has resulted in at least 16 cases of Covid-19 and numerous exposure sites to emerge in the local government area.

The Australian has established that police have requested information about the August 14 event from NSW Health, including the address where it occurred and the names of the attendees.

These details have not been provided and police said in a statement they remain willing to investigate the matter once the details are forthcoming.

“When information is provided about positive cases in the community, police will be responsive and take appropriate steps to limit the spread of the virus, in line with the Public Health Order requirements,” a spokesperson said.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said on Saturday that up to 60 people attended the event and expressed anger at those who had defied health orders across the state. Mr Hazzard has been contacted for comment.

Police Minister David Elliott told The Australian: “It’s very frustrating NSW Health are not forthcoming with information given police are simply trying to enforce Health’s own public health orders.”

The beachside suburb falls between the Randwick and Bayside local government areas, the latter being designated one of 12 LGAs of concern due to the proliferating number of Covid-19 cases within its postcodes.

Over the past four weeks there have been 48 cases detected in the Randwick LGA, although officials remain concerned that the Maroubra event could cause an increase in these numbers. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Saturday that some attendees had come from LGAs of concern.

A NSW Health spokesperson did not answer questions about whether or not details of the event had been provided to the police, but said the department was working with Covid-positive cases and their families linked to the gathering.

“Urgent contact tracing and further testing of contacts is underway to ensure that

further transmission is minimised. NSW Health works with NSW Police to ensure compliance with the Public Health Orders,” they said.

The Australian has previously reported that NSW Health has declined requests from NSW Police to provide details of individuals who attended illegal gatherings or breach the public health orders.

This includes a funeral that occurred in the Sydney suburb of Pendle Hill, in July, that resulted in almost 50 people contracting Covid-19.

Responding to questions about information-sharing, NSW Health told The Australian that it protects the privacy of individuals who assist the agency, including when they violate the state’s public health orders.

“NSW Health protects the confidential health information of individuals so that they feel

they can come forward and give contact tracers the key details of activities they may

have undertaken rather than concealing events that could put the public at risk,” a spokesperson said.