The man who spearheaded Australia's post-Covid-19 economic task force has been charged with breaching Western Australia's coronavirus border restrictions during a private helicopter flight from Queensland.
Photo: 123RF
Police alleged Neville Power and a 36-year-old man failed to complete G2G passes before flying into WA on 9 October.
Power, 63, was the head of the National Covid-19 Commission Advisory Board and is the former chief executive of Fortescue Metals Group.
He is the current chairman of Perth Airport and the Royal Flying Doctor's Service.
Police alleged that Power and the other man left Queensland on 8 September and flew in the helicopter to Exmouth.
They say the helicopter stopped to refuel in Carnarvon and Geraldton before arriving at Perth's Jandakot Airport on 9 October.
The Breach Investigation Team interviewed the men the following day.
They were directed to self-quarantine for 14 days and returned negative Covid-19 test results.
Power and the 36-year-old man, from Henley Brook, were each charged with three counts of failing to comply with a direction.
The company that owns the helicopter is facing the same charge.
The two men are due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on 15 November.
The maximum penalty for failing to comply with a direction under WA's Emergency management Act is imprisonment for 12 months or a fine of $50,000.
- ABC