Former Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer is seeking to alter his curfew condition, or better still have it deleted altogether, to allow him to attend late night callouts from residents at the new apartment block he manages.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mehajer provided a written statement to Wollongong Local Court on Monday saying he had been appointed building manager at SkyPoint Towers in Lidcombe prior to his arrest on AVO contravention and dangerous driving charges and was required to “attend to occupants (sic) needs around the clock without notice”.
His current bail conditions, imposed at Burwood Local Court on November 20, include thrice weekly reporting to police, a $10,000 surety, not to be absent from his address in Vaucluse between 10pm and 5am and the use of only one mobile phone.
He is also banned from using social media to contact his estranged wife Aysha amid allegations he sent her a message on Instagram on November 10 congratulating her on opening a new business and telling her he had purhcased her a new iPhone.
He allegedly signed off the message with the words “Inshallah, inshallah [meaning “God willing” in Arabic] one day, you get to realise the person I have become and reply to me”.
He is also accused of turning up at her house in Kingsgrove in the early hours of November 20 and causing an accident with another vehicle being driven by one of Aysha’s friends.
As part of the bail review proceedings, Mehajer is seeking to vary or remove the curfew requirement and reduce the reporting condition in exchange for adding a further surety of $50,000.
In his statement to the court, Mehajer said as the building manager he was frequently called to the apartment block at “random hours” to deal with incidents which could include failed water pumps, black outs, emergency service access, assisting residents who had locked themselves out and lift breakdowns.
He said the conditions of his agreement did not allow him to appoint a sub-contractor to cover the work, and he also helped man the 24/7 concierge desk at night.
“Since my bail was granted, I have been unable to work closely with the strata body and we have received several complaints,” he wrote.
“I have been informed that my position will be immediately terminated should I not be able to attend to all my duties, including within the hours of my curfew.
“As this is my main source of financial income at the present moment, I am heavily dependent on this role to support myself and my family.”
Mehajer is also seeking to reduce his reporting obligations on account of the monthly interstate travel he does as part of his role in managing other unit blocks, saying if he is unable to attend the jobs his staff of up to nine will be affected.
On application by both parties, Magistrate Michael Stoddart adjourned the case to Burwood Local Court on Thursday for consideration by the magistrate who originally granted Mahajer bail.
