Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 4 June 2024
Court issues arrest for Jim Everett-puralia meenamatta
A Hobart magistrates court today issued an arrest warrant for pakana/Tasmanian first nations elder poet, film-maker, and political activist, Jim Everett-puralia meenamatta when he didn’t attend the hearing.
Everett was charged with trespass in the Styx Valley on 19 March 2024 while protesting against old growth native forest logging. He was protesting with the bob brown foundation forest defenders against the ongoing clear-felling of these lutrawita/Tasmania forests.
Jim Everett says that his arrest with Bob Brown Foundation activists is significant at a time when mounting worries are that a big profit grab is going on, and eventually it’s obvious that old growth forest logging must end.
Mr Everett said, “These forests are a major part of the eco-infrastructure, what is known in pakana/Tasmanian first nations knowledge-philosophy as “relational ecosystems”. Like all of nature, it is a connected network to maintain the balance. Ongoing destruction of lutrawita’s/Tasmania’s remaining old forests must be stopped, these forests are providers of clean air for our grandkids to breathe, and a healthy future for life on this planet”
However, Mr. Everett refused to attend the court today, he has another major issue to raise with the Australian government, and this is to confirm the status of Australian first nations for when negotiating a treaty. He asserts that the court has no jurisdiction over him, a pakana plangermairreenner man of the north-east midlands of lutrawita, and asserts his sovereign rights to protect first nations’ land.
Mr Everett said, “The flaw in how Australian governments have dominated Australian first nations is that there have never been any agreements whatsoever between Australia’s governments and Australian first nations to establish native people as Australian citizens. Australia’s laws, and citizenship, are alien to Australian first nations’ sovereignty, and I am standing on my sovereignty to challenge Australia’s governments to prove to the contrary. This must be answered by the Albanese government in its truth telling program to ensure a full understanding of australian first nations’ status is clear. We are either free first nations with our sovereign citizenship still intact to negotiate a treaty on a sovereign basis, or otherwise as Australian citizens negotiating for a treaty under Australia’s constitution and laws.”
“I am calling on the Australian government to tell the truth,” Mr. Everett said.
Ted Mead
June 4, 2024 at 13:57
Good on you, Jimmy!
Hold no reservations, this is a historical game changer for future generations!
Unfortunately for the Tasmanian Aboriginal people, this ongoing travesty of justice will continually be pursued by the insular powers of colonial rule and their self-righteous laws.
What will this 21st century, Liberal authoritarian government, gain by incarcerating an octogenarian who stands up for what is inherently a cultural belief to protect his country from inane desecration?
This is a wound that will not resolve differences of cultural divide. The Palawa people have long retained a connection to their land. No penalty, condemnation or incarceration will change that!
Chris
June 4, 2024 at 17:00
The Minister for Resources will doubtless back you Jimmy, like he did with Forestry in the past. That’s why Chainsaw Jerry appointed Erica to the job — cut down or cut up.
Roderick
June 5, 2024 at 23:40
Well, Sir Les Patterson told Michael Parkinson about being in a London cab, and when they arrived at their destination the driver asked how they were going to pay.
Les said she flashed an Erica at the driver – and for those who are not geographically aware, it is the map of Tasmania.
Tasmania is a triangular-shaped continent, a bit on the bushy side.