- Preamble -

NAP and PARIAH members face a number of charges for protesting human rights abuses in the Northern Territory. Whereas Police have the luxury of referring our complaints of assault to the Professional Responsibilities Unit, which will then decide if police officers should be charged.

The PRU can stall for a year (or more) while angry Police harass and intimidate us with impunity. Victims will be imprisoned for trivial 'offences' arising from protesting such injustice -- driven from their homes and employment -- and ostracised by people (intimidated by the victim's treatment) during that time.

They will also be labelled radicals, obsessives, etc.. to justify this cowardice and/or hypocrisy.

Should an assault case (by some miracle) 'get up' more years will pass, while a demonstrably inbred Judiciary make legal processes as difficult as possible for the victim(s) and ensure the lawyer(s) involved, suffer for their temerity in conducting said case.

Police will have no need to pay for the subpoenas, transcripts, witness fees, applications, legal representation, etc... that their persecuted, unemployable and ostracized victims will have to -- somehow.

The jury will be not be the victim's peers.

The NT Labor Party seem happy with this corrupt state of affairs.

In 2001, when faced with an overwhelming amount of evidence revealing political discrimination and victimization by NT Police, the Magistrate involved, simply exempted police from the provisions of the Anti-Discrimination Act.

I was appealing yet another inexplicable rejection by NT ADC Commissioner, Tom Stodulka.

The ADC had not rejected my complaint on the grounds used by the Court to reject the appeal.

Instead of being dismayed by the Court's decision -- the ADC personnel involved were relieved.

I had made it clear in Court that I considered Tom to be corrupt. A puppet of the demonstrably racist and corrupt NT Country Liberal Party.

Tom Stodulka was appointed by former NT Chief Minister and Attorney General Denis Burke. Tom previously worked in the Attorney General's Dept. under Denis.

Not a person you'd want adjudicating political discrimination and victimization complaints against Denis' government, unless you were the Respondent.

The NT News, ABC, etc... refused to cover any of PARIAH's trials or actions.

http://www.country-liberal-party.com/pages/incarc_p8a.htm

"When accessibility to the media is impossible (because they are as politically corrupt as the politicians one wishes to expose) street actions and the Internet are the only publicity options left."

"I spoke to a reporter at the NT News about the racism on the Cox Peninsula. He seemed more concerned that the (...then racist-run...) Mandorah Hotel was owned by a Mr Maddalozzo, (a millionaire developer) who also owns extensive land holdings on the Cox Peninsula."

"Your reporter stated - when I explained that I had a number of complaints against locals on the Cox Peninsula with the Anti-Discrimination Commission - "...that none of them will make it." He was right.

- ends.

The NT News reporter was John Loizou. I saw no point in revealing his identity at the time.

We felt a critique of recent articles in the NT News would be relevant, given their influence in a relatively small social setting. One I have described as politically incestuous, on a number of occasions.

Parliament Invaded
By John Loizou
(NT News, May 15, 2002)

"Protesters stormed the floor of the Territory's parliament yesterday - while it was about to pass legislation intended to protect witnesses. The 11 protesters - opponents of the NT Government's anti-drug laws - had been confined in the visitor's gallery, apparently anticipating the introduction of the new law by Justice Minister Peter Toyne."

John is a seasoned journalist - - I once considered an ethical man -- despite my fruitless 'interview' with him two years ago. Frankly, I consider this piece, biased drivel.

We were not "confined" -- we entered Parliament...

... and sat in the public gallery. We were not "...anticipating the introduction of the new law by Justice Minister Peter Toyne." -- we leave such predictable behaviour to others.

"But when they heard Sanderson MLA Len Kiely make a passing reference to "drugs" in his speech in support of a Witness Protection Act, they dashed downstairs and into the chamber through an unlocked door off the main hall."

Yes. We were all gazing mindlessly into space (probably in some drug-induced haze) heard the word "drugs" and bolted (in fine Pavlovian fashion) into action. Impressive deductive journalism.

We were in fact, waiting for General Business to commence and had just passed a note around confirming this decision.

"The door had been left unlocked for the family of Daisy Ruddick to hear Parliament offer their condolences following the matriarch's death last month."

Nice touch John. 'Protesters show no respect for Daisy Ruddick.'

Quote: "We refused to stand in tribute to the Queen Mother, but stood for a minute in silence, to honour the memory of the Stolen Generations member." (Daisy Ruddick)

The action was not enacted until General Business began.

I doubt the Aboriginal members of our crew would appreciate any other interpretation of events." (Melbourne Indy,14 May, 2002 )

Listening to a pack of hypocrites, in particular Tim Baldwin and Denis Burke, wax on about their respect and admiration for Daisy, was very trying, but we did nothing to disrupt their self-acclaiming homilies.

Most of the parliamentarians acted like panicked mice. The Labor side was fastest to retreat, I'll give Denis his due, he stayed and yelled out to the departing 'Left', "Did you mob organize this?" He seemed amused by events.

You'll note Speaker Loraine Braham was out of her chair rather quickly.

This 'social semiotical' photograph from the 'NT Newsance' is a 're-enactment' of an event that never occurred. (May 15, 2002) An attempt to 'restore' dignity and authority after an embarrassing debacle

A very tame account of a very wild event. There were numerous struggles, shouting matches and even some dialogue between activists and politicians.

John has neglected to explain why Ema was on the floor being kicked by Superintendent Bert Hofer. An act witnessed by ABC TV's Rebecca Morse and myself.

Rebecca had the decency to come forward voluntarily and tell us she had witnessed this disgusting act of cowardice.

The need to grab Ema by her breasts is not explained either. She was not resisting her attackers.

Look at John's take of this...

"The policeman, Superintendent Bert Hofer, had been in the assembly to advise Police Minister Syd Stirling about the witness protection legislation."

...rivetting discriptive journalism, Mr Loizou.

"The protesters went without resisting their eviction although they initially ignored requests to leave and later complained to the police that they had been assaulted."

How unreasonable we seem to be, in this incredibly edited 'recollection' of events. This is not journalism. It's not even the admirably contrived and subtle polemic we expect from 'professional' journalistic bigots.

"Mr Mc Neill later told reporters that there had been some body contact but described the security guards as "fairly restrained".

Compare this to Ms Braham's "angry" and "ugly".

"The police are now examining security videotape of the incident as a prelude to charging the protesters and the Speaker has banned them from Parliament House, including its steps, for the remainder of the session."

The "prelude" is over and none of us have been charged, because unlike the thugs employed in Parliament house and by the NT Police, we are nonviolent.

"Mrs Braham, who described the confrontation in the chamber as "angry" and "ugly" admitted that security had been inadequate."

No. There was plenty of Security. It was complacent...

...because they know we do not engage in violence. They still know that.

As Ms Braham can testify -- the people in most danger of physical harm, are the People.

"Mrs Braham pledged. However, that security at Parliament House would be tightened."

Ms Braham has declared Parliament house to be under a state of siege, by the people of Darwin.

"I anticipated that the protesters would want to come in and watch, we allowed them access to the confined gallery and thought it was all in hand", she said.

No. You anticipated nothing. 'Our' security is "tight".

We simply walked in and sat in the area 'designated' for the Public.

This public declaration that our access to the 'Public gallery' is limited, or that we are to be treated differently from other people, because of our political opinions, activities or affiliations, is discriminatory.

It is the discrimination responsible for the action in the Legislative Assembly.

"But Parliament was protected by a Security Act and the protesters had
breached this Act."

A 'Parliament' established by the invasion of Aboriginal land and the genocide of Aboriginal people.

Why would any 'reasonable person' respect laws that are used selectively and in a 'political' manner?

"Mrs Braham said the invasion had left her angry."

Angry enough to ignore the Laws being used to persecute you?

"I believe in the democratic process and the right to protest," she said.

So will Ms Braham be calling for an inquiry into the corruption that denies us legal redress and tramples our human rights? And will only unarmed police be present at Raintree Park on June 8, 2002, for the monthly smoke-in @ 12 Noon?

Click to view enlarged

"But I don't believe people should abuse the parliament."

NT Police Minister, Syd Sterling does...

• Provide a full range of pharmacotherapies for dependent drug users,
• Repeal the Public Order and Anti-Social Conduct Act (2001),

• Scrap the drug house legislation proposed by the government.
  ____________________________

  ...a NAP member was unaware that the beer-gutted individual drinking a can of beer, he approached to sign the petition, was Syd Stirling, NT Labor's Police Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.

  Instead of simply handing the petition back, Mr Stirling chose to render it useless by scrawling across the signature boxes...
  
  "About Bloody Time!! Well done Clare Martin (NT Labor Chief Minister)"...

  Click to view enlarged

  ..."my comments" (and his signature) "Syd Stirling".

• Apart from his obvious contempt for democratic process, Mr Stirling has also expressed contempt for Parliament...

  ...Of relevance, the Bible of Parliamentary procedure, Erskine May's Treatise on the Law, Privileges, Proceedings and the Usage of Parliament (Twenty-first Edition), sets out the principles relevant to documents presented to the House, including petitions.
  
  At page 118 it states: "It is contempt to present or cause to be presented to either House or to a committee forged, falsified or fabricated documents with intent to deceive, whether by forging signatures or subscribing fictitious signatures, tampering with petitions, fabricating documentary evidence, or altering a paper ordered to be laid before the Lords after the order had been received." (Underlining added)

  Obviously the petition is one clearly intended for Parliamentary submission. While the petition has not yet been "presented" to the House, neither has it been "rejected" nor deemed "non-compliant" by Parliament.

  People ask why NAP do not approach the NT Labor Party with our concerns about their zero tolerance policy regarding drug users...

  ...the ugly confrontation between NT Police and peaceful pot protestors at Raintree Park (April 20, 2002) which resulted in six assault charges against the Police...

  ... the forcible removal of the NAP People's Embassy (02, May 2002)

  ...and now this blatant contempt for our right to publically petition Parliament, should be ample explanation.

  Clare Martin spoke at the May Day rally, "pledg(ing) open government of broad representation that would listen to the electorate." (NT News, May 06, 2002)

  NT News telephone poll: "Are police targeting the right people in relation to the use of marijuana?" (NT News, 29 April, 2002) -- shortly after the violent confrontation at Raintree Park.
  
  "It was nearly unanimous... Final figures showed 84 per cent of voters believed NT police were not targeting the right people." (NT News, 03 May, 2002)

  A zero tolerance policy that extends to the rights of drug users to peaceably assemble and petition Parliament, is totally at odds with Ms Martin's, "pledge... (to) ...listen to the electorate".

  NAP are seeking legal advice in regard to charging NT Police Minister Syd Stirling with "contempt of Parliament".

  That the NT's Deputy Chief Minister is guilty of contempt for the people of the Northern Territory, has already been established.

- ends

...article continues... (Ms Braham) "They have taken it a step to (sic) far. We compromised them but they abused that compromise."

Gibberish.

"Parliament reconvened briefly to pass the Witness Protection Act."

How ironic, given the death-threats and attempts to run me off the road, etc... I suffered for three months (from Mandorah locals) prior to a case in the NT Supreme Court, as a Police Prosecution witness to three armed vigilantes robbing my home. Naturally they were acquitted.

"The bills necessary to the NT Government's new anti-drug laws will be be introduced to Parliament today."

-ends

We approached Mr Loizou (a witness to events) in a courteous fashion...

...but he showed no interest in gleaning information from people,
he obviously considered his inferiors

The Drug Squad has been doubled in size and are already targeting so-called 'drug-houses' despite this legislation not yet being passed. One or two raids a day, everyday, at some homes.

Obviously this expensive time-consuming harrassment, is not doing much to stop drug dealing, but it's a great way to pick up Aboriginal youths for offensive language.

So why the need for this legislation? And why the need for the expensive 'democratic farce' involved in enacting laws, already considered to be enacted by Police and the duopolist government here?

Democracy in Australia is vanishing