Who authorised former NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller to say anything about the Berejiklian era quarantine fee and why? Fuller's notice confirms suspicion that NSW Berejiklian government had no basis to impose the quarantine fee, nor quarantine persons who were COVID negative 

 by Ganesh Sahathevan 


   Premier Gladys Berejiklian with NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller and Brigadier Mick             Garraway


Who authorised former NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller to say anything about the Berejiklian era quarantine fee and why? Fuller's issuance of his  COVID  quarantine notice, and subsequent silence, would seem to confirm suspicions raised on this blog that NSW's Berejiklian government had no basis to impose its quarantine fee.


Fuller's conduct also adds to suspicion that the Berejiklian government did not have the authority, even under its COVID emergency powers, to quarantine persons who were COVID negative.


International arrivals had to test negative for COVID before boarding their flights to Sydney, and tests had to be administered within 72 hours of departure. Quarantine on arrival of those who exhibited no COVID symptoms was quite likely unnecessary. It did, of course help bolster Gladys Berejiklian's approval ratings.






TO BE READ WITH 








 by Ganesh Sahathevan



As previously reported Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) has refused to  issue any statement to confirm that a   quarantine fee invoice issued in its name, which has been settled in full,  has been satisfied. 

The SLHD's  conduct suggests that the SLHD  will not admit that it has collected any quarantine  fees, despite invoices being issued in its name.

Meanwhile,as also reported, the former NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said in his notice to returning air travellers that Revenue NSW " will be charging a mandatory quarantine fee"  for their hotel quarantine. 

There is no legislation authorizing Revenue NSW to charge those fees, and SLHD has not said that Revenue NSW is acting as its agent in the matter.

It does appear that the quarantine fee has been imposed illegally. A class action against the new NSW Labor Government, led by Chris Minns, brought by all those forced into quarantine and then charged for the discomfort, can be expected. 



To Be Read With
June 02, 2023

 by Ganesh Sahathevan 


Despite repeated emailed request,  Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) has refused to  issue any statement to confirm that a   quarantine fee invoice issued in its name, which has been settled in full,  has been satisfied. 

Instead Revenue NSW has informed this writer via email that  SLHD will not respond to any queries about its invoice. SLHD has never issued any notice to advise that Revenue NSW will be acting as its agent in the matter of the quarantine fees.  

The quarantine fee scheme was instituted by former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. 


To Be Read With 



Former NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said in his notice that Revenue NSW " will be charging a mandatory quarantine fee" - Former NSW Ministers Hazzard, Tudehope insisted that the quarantine fees charged by Sydney Local Health District, pursuant to the NSW Health Services Act

May 02, 2023

 by Ganesh Sahathevan 

                                                                 

                       Mick Fuller and his premier, Gladys Berejiklian

The former NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said in his notice to returning air travellers that Revenue NSW " will be charging a mandatory quarantine fee"  for their hotel quarantine. 

On the other hand,  former NSW Ministers  Hazzard and  Tudehope  have insisted that the  quarantine fees are being  charged by  Sydney Local Health District, pursuant to the NSW Health Services Act (HSA). 

Tudehope did however insist that the fee included police and Army security (which are not provided for in the HSA) 

The HSA does not confer Revenue NSW with powers to provide or charge for health services. 


To Be Read With 

Damien Tudehope, NSW Minister for Finance using Health Services Act to recover costs that fall outside the Act; Dominello's Revenue NSW enforcing collection of costs under the guise quarantine fees


October 23, 2021

 by Ganesh Sahathevan 



                                  Tough talking Damien Tudehope may not have the power to impose the
                                  bulk of his quarantine fee, if any



On 21 February 2021 the SMH quoting  NSW Minister For Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope reported:


NSW Finance Minister Damien Tudehope said hotel quarantine was a key safeguard in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and Australians returning from overseas or interstate needed to contribute to the cost.

"When it comes to paying your invoice for hotel quarantine, the message is a simple one - payment of your fee is not optional," Mr Tudehope said.

"Don't ignore it. If you are facing hardship or difficulty paying, contact us about making payment, entering into a payment plan, an extension to pay or other hardship measures."

Mr Tudehope said the bill was not just for the accommodation and food but also a contribution towards security, testing, cleaning, police, health personnel and other expenses.



The imposition and collection of the fee is permitted pursuant the provisions of section 70 of the Health Services Act 1997, for the provision of health services(see article below).

Minister Tudehope however has made it clear that the bill was not just for the accommodation and food but also a contribution towards security, testing, cleaning, police, health personnel and other expenses.

It does seem as if Tudehope, by his own words, relies on Section 70 of the HSA to collect payment for a whole range of costs incurred by NSW Health, in whose name Revenue NSW issues the bill.

TO BE READ WITH 


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