Tag Archives: oceania

Sydney Eastern Suburbs party becomes super spreader event

A party in the Sydney beachside suburb of Maroubra has likely become a super spreading event, health officials say, with at least 16 revellers catching coronavirus.

Contact tracing and further testing is under way, with authorities working on an assumption 60 people were at the event, which broke lockdown rules last Saturday.

NSW Health Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Marianne Gale called it an "unfortunate event" and said contacts of the partygoers have also now caught the virus.

READ MORE: Record spike in NSW coronavirus number

A party at Maroubra in Sydney's eastern suburbs has been dubbed a 'super spreader event'.

"There remain a small handful of people who are not doing the right thing," she said.

"Please do not have parties."

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard blasted people who broke lockdown rules.

"There are those amongst us who don't seem to give a damn," he said.

"They're out attending parties.

"You are ransoming our future."

Residents of Maroubra, Malabar and the Matraville area have been urged to come forward for testing.

NSW Police issued 681 penalty infringement notices in the last 24 hours across the state.

Meanwhile, positive cases have been linked to a funeral in Western NSW which up to 500 mourners attended, Mr Hazzard said.

It's feared they could spread the virus further around the state.

READ MORE: Police flood Sydney CBD amid protest warning

"Many of those people are now returned to the far-flung parts of our state, and I am already hearing from our health system that there are cases that are positive in various communities, and those will probably grow in the next few days," Mr Hazzard said.

"There is no time now to be selfish, it's time to think of the broader community and your families.

READ MORE: Sydney shrouded in smoke amid bushfire burn offs

"If you are actually spreading the virus, you could be responsible for people's deaths."

More than $1m in fines, six police hospitalised in Melbourne protest

More than $1.1 million in fines will be handed down after six police officers were hospitalised and 218 people were arrested during a massive anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne.

Victoria Police said more than 4000 people converged on the city today in protest of the extension of the state's COVID-19 lockdown.

Police arrested 218 people, issued 236 fines and have three people in custody for allegedly assaulting police.

Every arrested protestor will be fined $5452 for breaching Chief Health Officer directions, meaning the arrest fines alone tally $1,188,536.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said "the majority of those who attended came with violence in mind".

READ MORE: Hundreds fined over Sydney lockdown protest

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"The behaviour seen by police was so hostile and aggressive that they were left with no choice but to use all tactics available to them," the spokeswoman said.

"For the first time during lockdown protests, police were forced to use a range of non-lethal options including pepper ball rounds and OC foam cannisters in an effort to disperse the crowd.

"Seven police officers were injured, including two with suspected broken noses, one with a broken thumb and the others with concussions.

Melbourne anti-lockdown protests, Saturday August 21, 2021.

"One officer was also treated at the scene for a cut to his neck that didn't require hospitalisation."

Hordes of protesters had gathered around Elizabeth and Lonsdale streets in the CBD with Transdev warning services were delayed due to the planned event.

Thousands of armed and mounted police marched towards demonstrators in full force, making multiple arrests as they moved in on the rally.

READ MORE: Statewide lockdown for Victoria from 1pm

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Earlier, at a press conference announcing the expansion of the lockdown into regional Victoria, Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Shane Patton slammed plans for the protest.

"It's tagged as a freedom demonstration, it's anything but," he said.

"It's just selfish."

READ MORE: Some COVID-19 measures part of our future: PM

He said encrypted communications involved in the organisation of the event made it difficult to know how many people would join.

He warned anybody who attended and was intercepted by police would face a massive fine.

READ MORE: Record COVID-19 case spike for NSW

https://twitter.com/MimiRoseBecker/status/1428904721880784897?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwMelbourne anti-lockdown protests, Saturday August 21, 2021Melbourne anti-lockdown protests, Saturday August 21, 2021.

Premier Daniel Andrews warned that if people ignored lockdown restrictions this weekend "well then next week it will be like Sydney", where cases have boomed to hundreds of new infections every day.

"Protesting does not work against this virus," he said.

A similar gathering occurred in Sydney at midday, with multiple arrests and violent scenes, but was disbanded by police just after 2pm.

Brisbane anti-lockdown protests also saw thousands in attendance but authorities have deemed this one a more peaceful gathering.

READ MORE: Police flood Sydney CBD amid protest warning

Melbourne anti-lockdown protests, Saturday August 21, 2021.

More than 250 fined and 47 arrests made at Sydney protests

A man who allegedly assaulted a police officer is among the 47 arrests made during today's lockdown protests in Sydney.

NSW Police issued more than 260 infringement notices as they stamped out a mass anti-lockdown protest in the CBD.

NSW Police Minister David Elliott thanked the 1500 officers who turned up ahead of today's anti-lockdown demonstration, slamming the protesters as a "disgrace".

"The actions they have taken are likely to prolong the very lockdown they were protesting about," Mr Elliott said.

"More than 200 infringement notices have been issued today with more than 250 people choosing to put their and their loved ones lives at risk at these protests."

READ MORE: Violent clashes as police move on lockdown protesters in Melbourne

Sydney anti-lockdown protests, Saturday August 21, 2021

Mr Elliott said while police issued fines and made arrests over an array of different offences, the majority of these were for failing to wear a mask.

One man was charged over allegedly assaulting police, dragging the officer out onto the road during the demonstration.

Mr Elliott said 38,000 cars were stopped from entering Sydney's CBD at various access points and roughly 130 tickets were issued to drivers.

"These orders are not a restriction on freedom of speech, they are a temporary restriction on freedom of movement.

"Please be aware there will again be plenty of police ready to deploy in response to any protest 2.0 planned for tomorrow and if people try to protest next weekend, we will do it all over again.

"Police will not hesitate to take the same action they took at today's protest."

The large crowds dissipated just after 2pm today after concerns more were on the way to join the mass demonstration.

Police were well prepared after anti-lockdown protests last month resulted in thousands of fines and several arrests.

The delayed march started at Victoria Park on Broadway just after midday, as dozens of protesters made their way to the event despite police warnings those in attendance would be subject to "the full force of the law".

READ MORE: Record coronavirus case spike for Sydney

Police arrest protestors at Victoria Park in Sydney.A man is held by police on Broadway, Sydney.

Police created a "ring of steel" around the CBD ahead of the 12pm start time, yet several arrests were still made by officers around the Victoria Park site.

There appeared to be some violent clashes similar to last month's chaotic scenes.

However, the scale of today's protest was not as large as last month, where some 3000 people were fined.

Taxis and Ubers were banned from taking people into the area until 3pm.

Massive fines of up to half a million dollars for a company are in place, though people travelling for work or medical reasons are allowed to go.

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READ MORE: Violence as police clash with protesters in Melbourne

Police arrest protestors at Victoria Park in Sydney.Police arrest Anti lockdown protesters at Victoria Park, Sydney.

Despite that, people were seen walking to Victoria Park where the protest was planned to start from – despite police issuing repeated warnings all week not to attend.

9News reporter Lauren Tomasi said "a lot" of people had turned up and they were "angry".

She said dozens of people have been arrested.

A woman surrounded by police near Victoria Park, Sydney.https://twitter.com/LaurenTomasi/status/1428914283593682946

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller called the response "significant" and said anybody trying to get into the city to protest would be turned back and could be fined.

"It is quite clear through messaging that has been sent to people that it is not an authorised gathering," he said.

https://twitter.com/LaurenTomasi/status/1428907643087704064A New South Wales police helicopter patrols the sky over the central business district in Sydney.Police setup a road block to check road users identification on Enmore Road, Sydney.

"It isn't what the vast majority want to see in the state, people coming together in that proximity in those numbers."

Protests are also underway in Melbourne and Brisbane.

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The CBD boundaries used by police extended far out of the area.

The CBD zone is bounded on the west by West Link Road and The Crescent at Lilyfield, the south at South Dowling Street and Todman Avenue at Zetland, as far north as the Bradfield Highway at Milsons Point and the east at New South Head Road and Ocean Avenue at Edgecliff.

NSW Police perform roadside checks along the City West Link at Lilyfield, Sydney.Police setup a road block to check road users identification on Enmore Road, Sydney.

Central Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell, said more than 1500 officers had been deployed "to disrupt, prevent and respond to any unauthorised protest activity."

READ MORE: Sydney man charged with making threats to police horses after anti-lockdown protests

"The transmission of the Delta strain of COVID-19 presents a clear and present threat to the community. Now is not the time to gather in groups in protest," Assistant Commissioner Thurtell said.

Police setup at Victoria Park, Sydney.NSW Police assemble for a meeting in Hyde Park.

"This prohibition notice is just one of our strategies to prevent any unlawful mass gathering and keep our community safe."

On Friday, NSW Police Minister David Elliott warned anyone who plans to attend the illegal protest will feel the "full force of the law".

He urged people not to put their family, friends, and loved ones at risk by gathering in large groups.

NSW Police are seen patrolling Circular Quay.

READ MORE: Police seeking Sydney protesters after pot plants thrown at officers

"The message to the people of NSW is stay indoors," Mr Elliott said.

"If you want to go out tomorrow and endanger the lives of everyone you love and extend this lockdown go ahead and meet the full force of the law.

Anti-lockdown protest  on 24 July, 2021. Photo: Brook MitchellSydney lockdown protests.

"It's not rocket science… you go outside you risk the prolonging of the lockdown."

READ MORE: PM labels lockdown protests as 'selfish'

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon echoed Mr Elliott, saying gatherings need to be capped at two people.

Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said more than 60 charges and 300 infringements were handed out since the last protest.

Killer whale dies suddenly at SeaWorld San Diego

A killer whale died unexpectedly at SeaWorld San Diego and the reason was not immediately known, the aquarium and theme park said Friday.

The 6-year-old female orca named Amaya died Thursday and the cause of death will not be known until results of a post-mortem examination are complete, which could take weeks, SeaWorld's statement said.

“Amaya began showing signs of illness on August 18, and animal care specialists and veterinarians began treating her immediately. Despite her care team’s efforts, Amaya’s condition continued to decline rapidly. Her death was sudden and unexpected,” it said.

SeaWorld said the specialists who cared for Amaya were heartbroken.

READ MORE: Lobster diver eaten by whale, spat out

Amaya the Orca died at Sea World San Diego in the US.https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fseaworldsandiego%2Fposts%2F1210868336005048&show_text=true&width=500

“This is a very difficult time for those who knew and loved Amaya. She inspired millions of guests to appreciate and learn more about this amazing species,” the statement said.

Amaya was the youngest of 10 whales at the San Diego park and spent time with her mother Kalia and father Ulises, according to its website.

Described as one of the most playful of the whales, Amaya “helped us gather and share critical information about calf development for researchers studying wild populations,” the site said.

SeaWorld announced the end of its orca breeding program in March 2016, following years of pressure from animal rights protests and shifting public opinion about orcas being held in captivity.

READ MORE: Giant sharks emerge metres from popular Irish beach

The protests intensified after the release of the 2013 documentary “Blackfish,” which focused on the life of Tilikum, a killer whale responsible for killing trainer Dawn Brancheau when he dragged her into a pool at SeaWorld Orlando in 2010. The movie implied that orcas become more aggressive in captivity.

SeaWorld also subsequently announced it was ending killer whale shows at its parks.

The last killer whale born in captivity in SeaWorld's former breeding program died in 2017 while it was being treated for an infection at age 3 months at the company's San Antonio park.