Remember “Subway Girl”, who copped a $2,664 fine for a half-eaten Subway sandwich she forgot to declare to Customs?
Well, she has company now, in the form of an unnamed passenger flying in from Bali who was fined the same amount at Darwin Airport for failing to declare a McDonald’s breakfast.
The illicit sausage and egg McMuffins, as well as other items including a ham croissant, were sniffed out in the passenger’s backpack by detector dog Zinta, resulting in 12 penalty units or $2,664 – exactly the same amount Jessica Lee was slugged for her chicken sandwich in July.
While it may seem an eye-popping fine, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said enforcement actions like this are necessary to keep Australia safe from foot and mouth disease (FMD), which could be devastating to our livestock industry.
“This will be the most expensive Macca’s meal this passenger ever has, this fine is twice the cost of an airfare to Bali, but I have no sympathy for people who choose to disobey Australia’s strict biosecurity measures, and recent detections show you will be caught,” he said.
“Biosecurity is no joke – it helps protect jobs, our farms, food and supports the economy. Passengers who choose to travel need to make sure they are fulfilling the conditions to enter Australia, by following all biosecurity measures.”
The offending breakfast was seized, tested for FMD, and destroyed – and should hopefully serve as a timely reminder to any travellers to finish their Macca’s before getting on the plane.
