PwC partner Mick Fuller ignored advice that his COVID quarantine project might be illegal- Fuller's conduct clearly incompatible with PwC's role as a public company auditor

 by Ganesh Sahathevan

by Ganesh Sahathevan

In March 2020 when the first overseas arrivals were detained in quarantine centres under the direction of then NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller, a letter from lawyers acting for a detainee was sent to Fuller outlining the reasons why the detention (and charges that followed) was illegal. Fuller ignored the letter, and it has since been shown that he may not have had the power to implement his quarantine project.

Fuller has since moved on and is now a partner of  PwC. PwC partners are relied on to provide audit opinions about the financial state of corporations , many of which are public and listed on the ASX. 

Ignoring information brought to the attention of partners cannot be compatible with that duty.

To BE READ WITH 

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller's notice of quarantine and imposition of quarantine fees was not authorised by legislation - Sydney Local Health District will not admit that it has collected any quarantine fees, despite invoices being issued in its name- Class action against Chris Minns government for Berejiklian era mess can be expected

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 

Dominello's Revenue says Hazzard relied on NSW Health Services Act to demand payment of quarantine fees- Act says Hazzard can only demand what a person can afford, Hazzard will still not say what "health services" he provided