The NSW Premier has called for Hillsong to be fined over a church youth camp where crowds at Newcastle were filmed flouting “the spirit” of COVID-19 Public Health Orders.
While NSW Police on Friday morning ruled it out, Dominic Perrottet said the organisers of the event should face the consequences.
NSW Health has ordered Hillsong immediately stop singing and dancing at the summer camp, within the Glenrock State Conservation Area, after videos emerged showing hundreds of attendees without masks, singing and dancing inside a large tent while a band performed onstage.
The camp began days after changes to Public Health Orders took effect, banning similar activities at music festivals and forcing the cancellation of events like the Tamworth Country Music Festival and the Grapevine Gathering in the Hunter Valley.
Singing and dancing at large events presents a high-risk of COVID-19 transmission, Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said, amid an outbreak which has seen the state record tens of thousands of cases a day.
The order does not apply to religious services, but it does apply to major recreation facilities, and the event is “clearly in breach of both the spirit and intent of the order” Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.
Mr Perrottet on Friday added Mr Hazzard had advised him the legal team had determined Hillsong had breached the Public Health Orders.
“If the legal teams believe that it was in breach of the PHO, then my expectation would be that a fine would be issued,” he said.
Mr Perrottet said he was shocked to see the footage.
“I fully understand how outraged they [other musicians] would be, in circumstances where they’re doing the right thing and others are doing the wrong thing,” he explained.
“Even if, technically, it was within the rules, it certainly wasn’t in the spirit of the rules.
“If we have to tighten loopholes, we will.”
NSW Police indicated the church would not be fined, instead liaising with organisers “to ensure future compliance”.
In a statement, Hillsong defended the event, saying it is “not similar to a musical festival in any way”.
The summer camps involve primarily outdoor recreational activities, with outdoor Christian services only a “small part” of the program and singing a small part of each service.
“A video circulating on social media (on Thursday) reflects a few minutes of this part of the program,” it said.
“We follow strict COVID procedures and adhere to government guidelines.”
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
