NT parliament invaders appeal conviction

A group of activists, sentenced to jail terms for illegally entering the Northern Territory's parliament have told the Supreme Court they may take their case to the High Court of Australia.

Members of the Network Against Prohibition were convicted by the Darwin Magistrate's Court in June, after being charged with invading Parliament.

Gary Meyerhoff, Mick Lambe, Stuart Highway and Robert Inder-Smith are appealing the ruling.

The group entered the chamber during a sitting in May last year, protesting against the government's drug-house laws.

The hearing lasted a month and several members of Parliament were subpoenaed to give evidence.

Mick Lambe told Justice Steven Bailey he had sent a petition to the High Court asking it to look into the case, which he described as unprecedented in the Northern Territory.

Justice Bailey agreed the unusual nature of the case might catch the Court's interest.

On the matter of the appeal, he adjourned the hearing to allow the group to get proper legal representation.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 25th November 2003
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Website: http://www.abc.net.au
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