Media Alert

24th June 2003

Breaking a butterfly on the wheel

Anti “drug house” legislation crusaders committed for trial

4 members of the Network Against Prohibition (NAP) were today committed for trial in the Northern Territory Supreme Court. The activists peacefully occupied the electorate office of the NT Chief Minister, Clare Martin on August 1 last year, the day “drug house” legislation came into force.

The legislation has sparked outrage from NT drug users and has been described as NAZI labelling by the peak Australian drug user organisation AIVL. Civil liberties groups have expressed concern over the laws that allow police to declare a house a “drug premises” without convicting anyone of any offence.

Related legislation has also extended the power of Police to confiscate cash and property belonging to people suspected to be involved with the ‘drug trade’, without conviction or evidence these items were generated as a result of drug profits.

For a peaceful occupation, Nicolette Burrows, Gary Meyerhoff, Rob Inder-smith and Ema Corro are all charged with “business invasion”. Ironically, this is a new law that was introduced by the NT Labor Government in late 2001 as a response to a perceived high rate of burglaries. It has a maximum penalty of 7 years jail.

NAP activist Nicolette Burrows said “Drug users were forced to action last year after the Labor government introduced legislation which not only violates the basic human rights of illicit drug users, but also reduces the civil liberties of all Northern Territorians.”

“We hope this trial will continue to both challenge and define the extent to which our implied constitutional right to free speech is recognized. The ongoing prosecution of drug law reform activists in Darwin shows that these charges are of an inherently political nature.”

This is the second time that the “business invasion” law has been before the courts. Last week it came before the Darwin Magistrate’s Court last week for the first time when members of NAP were charged with occupying the offices of the Chief Health Officer. These charges were dismissed.

This week, after a 2 day committal hearing in the Magistrate’s Court, the NAP activists were found to have a case to answer on “business invasion” for the occupation of the Chief Minister’s electorate office. Chief Magistrate Hugh Bradley committed all 4 to trial by judge and jury in the Supreme Court. All 4 have been released on bail.

3 of the defendants are already facing the Supreme Court, appealing the decision of the Magistrate who sentenced them to between 18 and 21 months imprisonment for a peaceful entry into the NT Legislative Assembly last year.

For further info or to arrange an interview call the NAP office on 61 (0) 8 8942 0570

or peruse our website

Alternatively you can contact us by email

For the NT Government spiel on the drug house laws