Australian Democracy on trial

Dear Sir

I was extremely disappointed to read the article "Shorten jail term pleads HIV man", Saturday May 24. Not only did the article sensationalise my medical condition, it provided a totally misleading account of what occurred on the last day of the "parliament invasion" hearing.

At no stage on the 23rd of May did I refer to my medical condition in the Magistrate's Court. Magistrate Dick Wallace mentioned my medical condition and suggested I seek legal advice before making sentencing submissions. I will make my sentencing submissions on June 3 at 10am.

I have not submitted that I should have a shorter jail term than my co-defendants because of my medical condition. Of course, I would prefer not to spend any time in Berrimah jail.

Magistrate Dick Wallace is aware of my medical condition after I sought an adjournment in proceedings late last year due to ill health.

The activists who entered the legislative assembly last year are not on trial here. Australia's system of democracy is on trial. The Labor Government's "drug house" legislation and zero tolerance approach to illicit drugs are on trial.

This stale and moralistic approach to currently illicit substances has forced the inhumane incarceration of thousands of young Australian's. We have created high levels of youth substance use and set up an environment where young people are not comfortable talking to their families or teachers about their substance use.

Rather than focus efforts on putting groups like the Network Against Prohibition and People Against Racism in Aboriginal Homelands out of business, the NT government needs to actually try and address some of the deep underlying issues that contribute to problematic drug use. This might mean dealing with poverty, unemployment and structural racism.

Labor seems set to take the "police state" approach to these issues in a pathetic attempt to win enough votes to remain in power after the next election.

Gary Meyerhoff
Ludmilla

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Sat, 31 May 2003
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Author: Gary Meyerhoff
Copyright: 2003 Northern Territory News
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://ntnews.news.com.au/