Thurgoona man back on Border, must provide negative COVID-19 test

Since last year, magistrate Richard Funston has been unable to set down a hearing date because the man couldn't get a flight home.

But Albury Local Court has now been told that Michael Graeme Hoffmann has finally been able to get back in the country.

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Hoffmann, 41, of Lobbe Road, is facing four larceny charges related to matters alleged to have taken place almost four years ago.

He stands accused of stealing dozens of 25-kilogram bags of fertiliser, star pickets and galvanised steel posts, valued at $2978, at Bungowannah between August 21 and 29, 2017.

Australia's closed international borders from the outset of the pandemic early last year meant Hoffmann has been stuck in the Philippines.

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Hoffmann had repeatedly obtained seats on flights home, only to be "bumped off" those bookings. His inability to return had led to talks with Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, along with "the local Parliamentarian", to get a place on another flight.

"It's with good news that I announce he's arrived back in Australia two weeks ago," defence lawyer Tim Huggins has now told Mr Funston.

Mr Huggins said Hoffmann had spent that time in quarantine in Sydney.

"He arrived back in Albury on Saturday evening," he said.

Mr Huggins said Hoffmann was confined at home until he had successfully completed a COVID-19 test.

"The test is being organised for today," he said.

"Hopefully that will be negative."

Mr Huggins said negative results would also be required for his family.

The next step in his case would be establishing which witnesses would need to be called, he said.

"(The case) is still to be contested," Mr Huggins said.

Mr Funston set down a hearing, estimated to run for about two hours, for September 16.

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