A Melbourne businessman who led a revolt against the Premier and opened his clothing store despite lockdown restrictions has been hit with a hefty fine of nearly $ 10,000.
Victoria Police fined Harry Hutchinson from Harry’s Clothing $ 9913 on Thursday afternoon for breaching the chief health officer’s directions.
But the Berwick small business owner is remaining defiant, telling the Herald Sun he will not pay the fine.
“It’s sent the heart fluttering a little bit but I will be reopening and I will be sending the infringement notice straight back and I will not be paying it,” he said.
Mr Hutchinson reopened his shop on Wednesday after weeks of being shut due to the strict lockdown.
He said he had wanted to “take a stand”.
But by 7am on Thursday morning, a strong police presence had surrounded the store.
Even the Premier weighed in on the situation.
“It’s advisable to do everything you can to not incur a fine,” Daniel Andrews said.
It comes as business owners across the city plead with the government to ease restrictions on Sunday, with the Premier set to announce a scaling down of some lockdown measures.
No indication has been given as to what restrictions will ease, only that the government will be having discussions right up until Saturday night.
Health and Fitness | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site