People who bought the certificates may also be charged with fraud, police say
A Queensland-based life coach has been accused of issuing false COVID-19 exemption certificates.
The certificates issued by Maria Carmela Pau, also known as Maria Power, claimed that its holders “were exempt from vaccination, COVID-19 testing and wearing a mask.” Pau, who reportedly founded the charity Coaching With Substance, faces five counts of taking a title indicating a person is a health practitioner.
Despite not holding a medical doctorate or being registered with either the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency or Medicare, Pau referred to herself as “Dr M Power” on social media. She is the first Queensland resident to be charged under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.
If found guilty, the maximum penalty for her offence is a $60,000 fine, a three-year imprisonment term or both.
In a hearing before the Southport Magistrates Court last Thursday, police said Pau told officers about her issuance of about 600 false COVID-19 exemption certificates for a maximum price of $150 each. According to a statement by Detective Acting Inspector Damien Powell, Pau was “anti-COVID-19” and “does not believe people should be forced into vaccination.”
Powell added that Pau did not believe she was in the wrong.
Lawyer Ali Rana, who is acting for Pau, requested a three-week adjournment for case conferencing with the police. Another hearing is scheduled for 18 November.
Police are also tracking down the buyers of Pau’s fake certificates. Officers said that buyers may face fraud charges as well if they dealt with Pau despite knowing she did not have any medical qualifications.
