Minister blames driver’s ‘selfish’ refusal for delays
A “SELFISH” conspiracy theorist filmed refusing a police COVID-19 roadblock check has ensured further delays for those travelling between Geelong and Melbourne, Police Minister Lisa Neville has confirmed.
Eve Black was condemned on the weekend after posting a video of herself refusing to give details to a police officer at a roadblock — used to try to stop the spread of coronavirus — before driving off.
Ms Neville on Saturday confirmed the incident had occurred at a Little River roadblock, and said police would no longer show leniency to travellers between the regions.
Police had not been requesting licences from every motorist passing through the roadblocks in an attempt to reduce interruptions, but would now check the licences of all motorists, Ms Neville said.
“We were showing some leniency because of the regularity of people who travel between Geelong and Melbourne and not wanting to hold up people unnecessarily; now it will be a requirement for licences to be shown in every case,” Ms Neville said.
“So she’s had her impact. “She’s now not only encouraging people to flout the law, and what that means in terms of the spread of the disease, but she’s also now caused ruleabiding Geelong residents and people who travel to Geelong for work to now be held up a bit longer because all licences will now need to be checked.”
Ms Neville said Ms Black “will face the consequences” of her actions and could expect a visit from police.
Ms Black was widely criticised after posting her video, with Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent labelling it a “selfish and childish act”.
“If that woman lived in that area or had a good reason to be in that area, she would be allowed through, if not, she’s breaking the law,” he said.
“We’re starting to see in more recent times people talking about their human rights; these are clear criminal offences under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act. It’s not one of your human rights to endanger other people, it’s not one of your human rights to put other people at risk.”