Freedom of speech under attack in Darwin Magistrate’s Court

Freedom of speech in the Northern Territory will come under fire today in the Darwin Magistrate’s court as a member of the Network Against Prohibition faces charges for “affixing a handbill to a structure without a permit”.

Gary Meyerhoff and Micky Barry were arrested in 2003 as they stuck up posters promoting the 2003 Syringe Festival along the Stuart Highway in Parap. The pair were charged with criminal damage and placed on a curfew between 10pm and 6am.

After suffering the curfew for nearly 3 weeks, NT Police dropped the charges. Gary and Micky were then issued with infringement notices by Darwin City Council.

Gary has elected to have the matter dealt with by the courts and during the hearing today will attempt to convince the magistrate that the prohibition of billpasting breaches the implied right to freedom of speech and political communication.

The Commonwealth and all State/Territory Attorney Generals have been notified that a constitutional issue will be argued in the Darwin Magistrate’s Court today.

Tim Gordon from the Australian Government Solicitors office said “The Commonwealth Attorney-General will not be intervening in this proceeding in the Northern Territory Magistrate’s Court, nor will he be applying to remove the cause from that court to the high court.”

“If the proceeding is taken further on appeal, or is removed to the high court, the Attorney-General might decide to intervene at that stage.”

For more information call NAP on 0415 16 2525 or see http://www.napnt.org

You can contact Tim Gordon on 02 6253 7303