Australian mushroom lunch cook tells trial meal was 'special'
Cook says lunch was 'special' at Melbourne trial
A Melbourne restaurant has been fined $51,000 for breaching Victoria's emergency Covid regulations, in a case described as a "test case" by the state's premier.
Why it was a test
The prosecution argued it was a test case because such a flagrant breach of restrictions could not go unpunished.
Owner's response
The owner of the restaurant told the court the meal, a mushroom lunch, was "special" and he did not believe it was "a gathering".
Customer's take
Customer Ben Hamlin told the court a "social lunch" with two friends had led to a $51,000 fine and charges for the restaurant.
Judge's ruling
Judge Tony Nicolosi said emergency laws required no reasonable person to believe the lunch was OK. He fined the restaurant and its director $51,000, and the restaurant was also fined $9,000 for failing to ensure guests checked in with a QR code.
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