No permit, no entry: Four men blame GPS for taking them through Victoria to enter NSW

Four South Australian men have been fined and came up with a bizarre excuse for crossing through Victoria on their way to NSW three times in 24 hours.

Four South Australian men have blamed a GPS for taking them through Victoria to enter NSW, which landed them a $1000 for allegedly trying to enter the state without valid permits.

NSW Police allege officers stopped a white Holden Commodore at the Tooleybuc checkpoint at about 5am on Thursday and spoke to the four male occupants — aged 17, 18, 19 and 21 – who told police they were travelling to Sydney from SA for a holiday.

However, the men had travelled through Victoria without a permit and were refused entry and turned back.

But the group attempted to enter NSW a second time, at the same checkpoint in the same vehicle, about 2pm and told officers the GPS had taken them through Victoria unknowingly.

Police told them they could not enter the state without a permit and were again directed back to Victoria.

Attempting a third time, the vehicle was stopped at the Euston checkpoint just after 3.30pm where they told police they were travelling to NSW to see a dying relative but did not have the relevant permit.

Police checks revealed it was the same group that made previous attempts to enter and all four males were fined for failing to comply with a COVID-19 direction before being sent back to Victoria.

To enter NSW from Victoria, regardless of the state you are from, a person must hold a valid permit, NSW Police said.

“Police are aware of recent changes allowing NSW residents to transit into South Australia via Victoria with relevant documentation,” it said in a statement.

“At this point in time, there have been no changes for anyone wishing to enter NSW from Victoria.”