Contempt threat for NAP

Members of the Darwin-based drug law-reform group the Network Against Prohibition (NAP) have been threatened with contempt proceedings by a Senior Crown Prosecutor.

The threat comes after the Northern Territory News published a letter to the editor by NAP member Scott White which attacked the NT Labor Government over its drug policy.

In the letter, Mr White said: “The prisons are full, and the NT Labor Government is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars jailing 10 people involved with the Network Against Prohibition” (Northern Territory News, July 15, 2005).

In a letter to Mr White, Elliot said: “It has come to my notice that you have recently written to the press, for publication in the Letters to the Editor section of the NT News, a letter which appears to constitute a contempt of court. This is a matter which I feel compelled to draw to His Honour's attention. Any repetition is likely to viewed (sic) most seriously, particularly as jury phase draws nearer.

“May I suggest that you take care in this respect. Other members of the NAP should do likewise, as they are equally vulnerable to prosecution of published letters have the effect of jeopardising a fair trial (which means fair both to you and to the Crown).”

NAP spokesperson Fiona Clarke said: “Attacks on our rallies, dozens of charges for sticking up posters, raids on the NAP house, prison sentences for non-violent protests and now threatening us over our letters to the editor; this is all part of the NT Police State’s determination to silence our campaign for drug law-reform in the Territory.

“There is a double-standard at work here because in 2002, we tried to have the Attorney-General charged with contempt after he made certain remarks on ABC radio. That was a waste of time.

“As for the Prosecution being worried about not getting a fair trial, that’s laughable.”

For more information, call Scott White (NAP) on 0429 198 618, Senior Crown Prosecutor Antony Elliot on (08) 8999 7533 or see our campaign page for Scott's case.