The Home of Democracy? Parliament House, by the shores of Darwin Harbour.
Three members of the Darwin based Network Against Prohibition have been released from Berrimah Prison after they were falsely imprisoned on Monday night.
The activists received sentences ranging from fourteen to twenty-one months jail, suspended after five. They were released on bail pending an appeal against conviction and sentence.
In late August/early September, Stuart Highway, Robert Inder-Smith, Gary Meyerhoff and Michael Lambe argued their appeal. Supreme Court Justice David Angel separated the appeal against conviction from the appeal against sentence, which would be held on a later date.
On the 17th of September Justice Angel dismissed the appeal against conviction. On the 4th of October a hearing was held at the Supreme Court.
The NAP activists were not informed about the hearing. Warrants for their arrest were issued. They were not informed that warrants were issued.
Robert, Stuart, and Gary were arrested late on Monday night and taken to the Darwin Watch house where they were refused phone calls or contact with a legal representative.
From there they were taken to the Berrimah Prison to begin five-month sentences for the so-called parliament invasion.
At 6pm today, the trio were released from the prison after Magistrate Greg Cavenagh granted bail.
In a letter to the prison authorities ordering them to release the NAP crew, a staffer from the Department of Justice said 'the appeal was only part heard their bail is still valid.'
NAP activist Gary Meyerhoff said:
"We believe that our arrest was malicious and unlawful. The warrants were issued on the 4th of October and the police didn't act on them until November 1."
"It is only due to the actions of NAP members and our supporters that we have been released from prison so fast."
"On behalf of the three of us I thank everyone who offered resources, support or assistance to the NAP team during this difficult 48 hours." He said.
Hours before the arrests, the Network Against Prohibition released a press statement ridiculing the NT Police drug squad and pointing out the failure of drug prohibition in the NT.
The trio intend to commence civil litigation against the Northern Territory Government.
Meyerhoff said, "The prosecution, Michael Carey and Peter John Thomas, failed to remind Justice Angel that we still had to appeal our sentence," he said.
"They sat silently while warrants were issued for our arrest. Someone must be held accountable for this example of the ongoing harassment and intimidation NAP activists have received from the police state since we started our campaign against draconian drug laws and other human rights abuses two and a half years ago. This is not the first time Peter Thomas has misled the court."
For more information, call Gary on 0415 16 2525 or see the following link: Network Against Prohibition (NAP).
Australia's federal, state and territory parliaments follow many of the customs and traditions handed down from the British Parliament, which has a history dating back several centuries. In the Northern Territory's Legislative Assembly there are many symbols of these traditions, as well as tangible reminders of the Territory's past.
The Home of Democracy?
Parliament House, by the shores of Darwin Harbour, is the 'home' of the Northern Territory's democratic system of government. In the building's most important room, the Chamber, the twenty-five members of our parliament meet for about thirty-three days each year.
The word 'parliament' comes from the French parliament which means 'speaking', and a great deal of that happens when the members of the parliament come together and affect all our lives by making laws and decisions about how the Territory and its people should be governed.
The official name for our parliament is the Legislative Assembly. The word 'legislative' comes from two Latin words - legis (meaning 'law') and latio ('proposing'). So, 'legislative assembly' literally means a group of people (an assembly) who propose laws. The Home of Our Democracy.
By Gary Meyerhoff and Just Us posted 5 November 04
Related:
NT activists await Supreme Court decision
Four human rights activists facing jail for a protest in the Northern Territory Parliament now face a tense wait for an appeal decision against the conviction to be handed down by the NT Supreme Court.
Research points to corporate journalists alcohol-schizophrenia link
New research has revealed more evidence of a link between corporate media journalists and schizophrenia. A national conference beginning in Melbourne today will examine international studies about the issue.
Fremantle police at centre of missing cannabis claims
One sunny day I was riding my bike, and smokin' a joint, 'cause that's what I like. A police man stopped me and began to stare and he said "hey sonny, whatcha smokin' there?"
Canadian PM pledges to decriminalise marijuana
Prime Minister Paul Martin has pledged to reintroduce legislation this year to decriminalise the possession and use of small amounts of marijuana.
Don't bash us on Saturday
Human rights activists in Darwin are concerned for their safety and the safety of the public at this week's Network Against Prohibition (NAP) Community Smoke-In for Human Rights.
Heroin: Hazy logic dictates a painful prohibition
Between moments of pungent humour, The Barbarian Invasions is a confronting movie. Facing a painful death to cancer, Remy, a self-described "socialist, hedonist lecher", accepts Montreal's crumbling, cramped public health system as his left-wing fate.
Port Lincoln Mayor has lost the plot!
Controversial Port Lincoln Mayor Peter Davis has called for drug addicts to be given a lethal injection to cut rising illicit drug use on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula.
Sign, sign everywhere a sign
The Syringe Festival was first held in Darwin in August 2002. The event, organised by the Network Against Prohibition was held as a protest against the Territory's new "drug house" laws that came into effect on August 1 last year, as well as a celebration of drug culture.
QANTAS pooping on people?
Ten unions are involved in the campaign against the program. They say they do not oppose drug and alcohol testing to prevent and determine impairment, but they are concerned that the trial will force workers to reveal use of prescription medicines or over-the-counter drugs.
NSW Ombudsman to probe police 'move-on' powers
Concerns have been raised that police may be unfairly targeting young people. The audit is part of a review of the extra powers officers were given to help tackle the illegal drug trade in Cabramatta in south-west Sydney.
Drug law blamed for hep C epidemic
THE federal Government's conservative tough-on-drugs policies have triggered an explosion in hepatitis C infections, a secret health department report has found.
Jail trade in 'sex for favours'
Professor Harding found evidence of bullying and standover tactics at the jail, often associated with the distribution of illegal drugs.
CWA wants pot legalised
PERCEIVED as the height of conservatism, the Country Women's Association has had a reputation for baking and handicrafts until now. The organisation yesterday confirmed it is seeking to have cannabis legalised for health reasons. A recommendation to be put forward to the annual meeting in May calls for the legalisation of the drug for the treatment of terminally ill patients.
The Thai Drug Users' Network is a group of individuals who use or have used drugs We have come together to respond to the deplorable health and human rights situation of drug users in our country, and in particular the current climate of fear caused by the extrajudicial killing of people allegedly involved with drugs.
Another lethal party drug article...
This is another lethal party drug article by the Daily Telegraph's (DT)'s Super Crime Buster Division, but I'll try to straighten it out a bit so you can understand it.
Poison Ivy: Drugs and Substances
Everything is a drug love, money, vegemite, and honey so why the hang up on coke? Things go better with Coke. at least that's what we're told each and every day by advertising. [?] So why the big hang up on alcohol, amphetamines, cigarettes, marijuana, speed, ecstasy and cocaine?
Police selling drugs? Bikies selling drugs? Pharmacies prescribing drugs Of course there will be criticism when you cross that thin blue line! You have to realise how the government itself has been corrupted because of the drug scene and the money involved.
Drug rehabilitation: Threats, threats and more threats!
But a spokesperson for Citizens Against Being Forced Mr Ihave Amind Ofmyown said, "Major Watters is John Howard's adviser because he's a bully. Citizens make their own decisions about what is best for them and if you don't like that step down."
MPs told of police corruption
Corruption and mismanagement are still entrenched in the NSW Police, and problems at the highest levels are "whitewashed", according to evidence given yesterday to a federal parliamentary committee.
Alcohol is just the beginning
People who start using alcohol by their mid teens are more than twice as likely as others to experiment with different drugs and to become dependent on drugs a major Australian study has found.
Tobacco, alcohol top the drug abuse toll
Tobacco and alcohol accounted for 83 per cent of the cost of drug abuse in Australia, dwarfing the financial impact of illegal drugs, a Commonwealth Government report has found.
NSW police cracked up on antisocial behaviour
Hundreds of extra police will be on the streets of Sydney from this afternoon as part of a major blitz on crime and activities as "antisocial behaviour" says the ABC online last Fri 24 May 2002.
Alcohol pickles your brain
The only two social drugs the Government sanction are cigarettes and alcohol as legal, yet they cause the most damage." He said.
