NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is seeking advice on the status of thousands of COVID fines.Credit:Edwina Pickles
A separate 29,000 fines for different offences remain active,although Perrottet on Sunday told theHerald he would look into whether they should all be scrapped.
“I’ll have a look at that. I think everyone knows what my views are in relation to fines,” Perrottet said.
Within the NSW government’s powerful pandemic crisis cabinet headed by former premier Gladys Berejiklian,Perrottet did not support the controversial fines being imposed for breaking public health orders.
Fines were handed out for penalties including failing to wear a mask,not complying with public health requirements and leaving the metropolitan Sydney area when the government imposed strict LGA lockdowns.
Police patrol Bondi Beach to enforce COVID-19 restrictions in August last year.Credit:Steven Siewert
Redfern Legal Centre solicitor Samantha Lee said there was a possibility the remaining 29,000 fines could be addressed by the Supreme Court early next year and called on the state government to be proactive and scrap them.
“There’s a real potential that all those other fines may be caught up in the judgment in the new year,so why not give people a Christmas bonus and withdraw them now?” she said.