Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Vic carnies fined over illegal Qld entry
Queensland police have fined 16 Victorian carnival ride operators $4000 each for allegedly lying on their border declaration passes.
October 9, 2020
A troupe of Victorian carnival workers has been fined for lying on their border declaration passes on entering Queensland.
Police say 16 show ride operators travelled from Victoria through the state’s southern border at Goondiwindi using a freight declaration on Monday.
The group’s members allegedly stated they were travelling into Queensland to deliver equipment to Rockhampton Showgrounds.
But police say they intended staying in the state to operate rides at various shows.
That meant they failed to meet the strict conditions attached to the freight declaration pass criteria, a police spokesman said on Friday.
Police found the group working at Mackay Showgrounds and moved them to quarantine on Wednesday.
Queensland Health conducted rapid response testing, which returned negative results.
All 16 were fined $4,003 for failing to comply with Queensland’s COVID-19 Border Direction.
The group has since been ordered to leave Queensland and is travelling towards the border with NSW.
Police have issued 128 people with penalty infringement notices for failing to comply with COVID-19 Border Directions since August 8.