To me this is an example of how crazy the curfew is.
Why wouldn't this qualify for an exemption. If I was on that plane I would be furious if I had to spend the night in Perth and miss a days work
- Unlike the last time VA pressured the delegate of the Minister to successfully get dispensation, the delegate this time must not have been a p****.
- I don't think it is likely that the Minister would grant dispensation just because one nut disrupted the flight and about eighty-one others (according to the article, quite low numbers actually) are inconvenienced, versus p*****g off a bunch of (mostly geriatric) voters.
Come to think of it, VA probably didn't even ask for dispensation knowing the circumstances, but in any case, merely 81 passengers would need to light a fire under the relevant Minister who is responsible for granting dispensation under the curfew. Or, in this case, more precisely, the perpetrator which forced the plane to go back.
Can curfew be exempted if the incoming flight knows it will be that late before it's even left the origin airport?
Of course it can (dispensation can be granted); whether it will be granted or not is a whole different thing.
And of course the lack of dispensation doesn't mean that the aircraft
can't fly to Sydney; it just means if it arrives and it broke the curfew, then the airline will face a fine if it doesn't have a good reason to break it (e.g. emergency) or had obtained dispensation beforehand.
What is the bet this wont be paid?
Good to see justice...
I guess they might put him on a payment plan of sorts, e.g. take a bit out of his salary each time. Either that or if he doesn't pay then the state will enforce payment one way or another, or his sentence will be upgraded to imprisonment. Of course, I guess if he pleads "undue hardship" by having to pay under the terms of the ruling, they may just let him pay a lot slower.
To be honest, it's not a big amount compared to the inconvenience caused, but seeing as most people in his shoes have previously got away with next to or literally nothing, it's something.
Someone later showed his Facebook profile posting about the incident, showing absolutely no remorse. Just shows you can rehearse for your day in court.