There are calls for more police data and accountability to monitor how authorities are enforcing the coronavirus restrictions in Australia
Legal advocates and researchers have urged police to issue more police data and provide clearer guidelines on how fines are being issued for the breach of coronavirus-related public health regulations in each state and territory.
"In certain areas of Melbourne there are more police, more intense levels of police, and those areas are more likely to have more intense COVID-19 public health restriction policing by itself," he told SBS News."There are a higher proportion in areas with high migrant backgrounds," he added. "That’s the only way we are going to get a really clear picture of whether policing under these extreme circumstances and extraordinary powers is fair and reasonable and not discriminatory," he said.In New South Wales, police on Friday released a limited set of data showing the number of public infringement notices issued in each local government area of the state.
The Sydney local government area topped the number of infringement notices issued, followed by Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Shoalhaven and Fairfield. NSW Police did not respond to SBS News’ questions about whether their policing was targeting specific groups within the community. But said in a statement that anyone issued with an infringement notice had the right to appeal.Victoria Police said officers will"always apply common sense" in the application of public health orders.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Fears lifeline for 6 million Aussies could go radio-silentAmong the services hardest hit in Australia during the coronavirus pandemic is community broadcasting, and they&x27;re hoping added government funding can assist.
Read more »
Electronic tracking devices among new coronavirus powers for WA security agenciesSecurity agencies in Western Australia have been given expanded powers to deal with coronavirus, but legal and civil liberties groups say emergency measures to tackle COVID-19 must not outlast the pandemic.
Read more »
What does 'community transmission' mean?You may have heard the term community transmission being used in coronavirus news stories and updates from authorities.
Read more »
'Clearly important' Indian students to be 'protected' during coronavirus crisis, high commissioner saysAustralia's High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell says Indian students in Australia will be 'protected and kept safe' throughout the course of the coronavirus crisis.
Read more »
New York mayor promises 'no mass coronavirus burials'New York City officials say that Hart Island, which for decades has been used as the final resting place for people who died unclaimed, will be used for unclaimed coronavirus victims. 9News
Read more »
Coronavirus updates LIVE: Global COVID-19 cases surpass 1.6 million, record 16.8 million Americans file for unemploymentStaff at seven hospitals and one radiology unit in Victoria have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, with 157 healthcare workers testing positive in the state so far. Follow the latest updates:
Read more »