Win-loss for sixth ‘invader’

Would-be MP Scott White faces court

By HEMSLEY RAJALA

Parliament Invader and would-be Northern Territory parliamentarian Scott White registered a win-loss in the NT Supreme Court yesterday.

The last of the Napatistas to face trial for the infamous May, 2002, NT Legislative Assembly walk-in, had asked for his hearing date to be postponed.

Chief Justice Brian Martin granted his request.

Scott, a member of the activist group Network Against Prohibition, had also asked that the pre-trial date be adjourned. This was refused.

The date stays at Monday, July 18.

Later, Scott said he wanted only the jury hearing adjournment, and was happy when that was granted.

“I wasn’t really expecting the pre-trial date to be adjourned anyway,” Scott, 29, said.

“Had it been, I would have regarded it as a bonus.”

Scott’s part in the incident dubbed the “parliament invasion” by the next day’s press, is unique in several different ways, the most important being that he will face trial by NT jury.

Like the other NAP members involved, Scott was charged with “intentionally disrupting parliament”, after the group walked into the LA chamber while it was in session. Debate was stopped for almost five minutes.

All participants except for Scott, who later moved to Tasmania with his young family, went through the Magistrate’s Court.

Three pleaded guilty and were handed various non-custodial sentences, although one young person, Luke Masters, spent 14 days in Berrimah jail after failing to comply with a community work order.

Five who pleaded not-guilty were jailed, but remain free on appeal.

In March, 2003, Scott was extradited from Tasmania and charged. After pleading not guilty, he had a committal hearing in the Magistrate’s Court and was committed for trial in the Supreme Court.

In court yesterday, Scott said Australian Constitutional Law, upon which he would base his arguments, “overrides” NT Law.

Chief Justice Martin acknowledged that the defendant was representing himself and added that Scott wanted to argue a “series of technical issues”.

“He is entitled to raise them,” the Chief Justice said, granting the adjournment.

Scott and four other Napatistas were candidates in the recent NT elections. Their five-point platform included a call to end the War on Drugs, and a demand for pardons for all NAP members presently facing criminal charges.

Note: Scott has a directions hearing on Monday 4th July at 9am to confirm the date of the hearing into the preliminary issues and the trial proper. Supporters are welcome. To keep up to date on NAP court cases, see our events page or join our email list. Regular updates will also be posted on Scott's court case web page and his blog.