NT Attorney General in contempt of court debacle

Drug law reform activists in the Northern Territory of Australia are concerned that their trials may be tainted after comments made publicly by the NT Attorney General.

Attorney General Peter Toyne will face contempt of court charges next week. NAP Coordinator Gary Meyerhoff will bring the charges before the Darwin Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 15th October 2002.

NAP will submit that in an interview with ABC radio on the 27th of September that Toyne attacked NAP members, presumed a guilty verdict and tried to portray a public repugnance towards NAP.

NAP Coordinator Gary Meyerhoff said “Senior Labor politicians in the NT continue to show contempt for democratic processes.”

“ This display of contempt by Toyne comes after Police Minister Syd Stirling showed contempt for the NT Legislative Assembly after defacing a parliamentary petition at the May Day rally in Darwin earlier this year.”

http://www.napnt.org/pages/Articles_6.htm#article1

The petition incident is still under investigation by the NT Police and Stirling faces charges ranging from unlawful damage through to contempt of parliament.

Meyerhoff said, “ NAP members believe that Toyne and Stirling have prejudiced our court cases.”

JUSTICE MURRAY WILCOX, FEDERAL COURT: The principles concerned in contempt of court cover several matters. One of these is the protection of litigants from improper pressure to abandon or discontinue claims or defences. The law does not countenance intimidation of litigants or their being subjected to public obloquy or abuse to defend their rights. the law could not countenance "intimidation of litigants or their being subject to public obloquy or abuse for seeking to vindicate or defend their rights".

NAP members will appear in the Darwin Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday next week in relation to a number of charges. NAP member Robert Inder-smith will appear in the NT Supreme Court on Wednesday to appeal an earlier decision of the magistrate’s court.

For further information see http://www.napnt.org/pages/Articles_27.htm

or contact Gary or Nicolette on 0415 16 2525.

Further information relating to investigation into Syd Stirling’s destruction of the parliamentary petition can be obtained by contacting Senior Constable Hocking of Darwin Local Police Office on (08) 8922 3344.

STOP PRESS: NAP is holding the 6th monthly “Smoke-up for Human Rights” in Raintree Park at 12 noon, Saturday 12th of October.