NAPNT Media Alerts

Media release: Johnny's brave new world.

2007-11-20T17:06:00.000+09:30

Members of the Northern Territory's Network Against Prohibition are outraged at the announcement from John Howard of his plan to quarantine the welfare payments of drug offenders, but this shouldn't really come as a surprise to anyone in the Northern Territory. We are often used by Government departments as a test case for new schemes. With our small population, they figure less people will be

Bitter-sweet win for activists.

2007-02-26T15:06:00.000+09:30

The Network Against Prohibition had a bitter-sweet victory in the Northern Territory Supreme Court yesterday, after its appeal against sentencing was upheld by Justice Southwood.Two of the last four “parliament invaders” of May, 2002, Ema Birkeland-Corro and Stuart Highway, had their five-month jail terms reduced and fully suspended.But the other two, Rob Inder-Smith and Michael Ishmael Lambe,

Judgment looms for LA four

2007-02-14T17:03:00.000+09:30

The last four "parliament invaders" will know next Monday (Feb19) if they are to be jailed for storming the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly on May 14, 2002. Yesterday morning in the NT Supreme Court, Justice Southwood watched the video tape of the incident, in which 10 activists walked into the chamber holding placards, and disrupted proceedings

Media Alert: Protesters to face court

2007-02-09T12:52:00.000+09:30

THE last four “parliament invaders” of 2002 will have their final day in court on Monday (Feb 12) when Justice Trevor Riley hears argument for why they should not be jailed.Northern Territory Legal Aid lawyer Ian Read will tell the Northern Territory Supreme Court that the defendants have not re-offended since they and six others stormed the NT Legislative Assembly while it was in session, and

Media Alert: Bali executions, Toyne in spotlight.

2006-09-10T01:49:00.000+09:30

The six young Australians facing death by firing squad in Indonesia, and Northern Territory Attorney-General Peter Toyne, were the focus of a rally in Darwin’s Raintree Park yesterday. The four latest Aussies on death row in Indonesia – the youngest 19, the eldest 23 - learned earlier this week that they would be executed for trying to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin from Bali to Australia. Rally

Media Alert: Protest over shock Bali decision

2006-09-08T01:31:00.000+09:30

Media Alert: Activists in High Court bid

2006-06-08T21:18:00.000+09:30

Three Darwin drug law-reform activists have lodged an appeal against their conviction in the "parliament invasion" case with the High Court of Australia. Network Against Prohibition trio Gary Meyerhoff, Stuart Highway and Robert Inder-Smith were given jail terms by Magistrate Dick Wallace in May, 2003, but have been free on bail pending appeals in the Northern Territory Supreme Court.

Media Alert: Highway triumphant

2006-05-29T16:02:00.000+09:30

Darwin activist Stuart Highway has become the latest Network Against Prohibition member to win an NT Supreme Court appeal. At a brief hearing earlier today, Stuart appeared before Justice Southwood to appeal against a decision handed down in Darwin Magistrates Court last year, in which he was convicted of trespass and jailed by Magistrate John Lowndes. But Justice Southwood quashed the

Media Alert: NAP Appeal Dismissed

2006-05-12T17:46:00.000+09:30

The appeal lodged by Network Against Prohibition (NAP) “Parliament Invaders” Gary Meyerhoff, Rob Inder-Smith and Stuart Highway in the NT Court of Appeal, has been dismissed. The trio learned of the dismissal late today. The charges arose from May 14, 2002, when a group of people associated with the Darwin-based drug law-reform group invaded the chamber of the Northern Territory

Media Alert: NAPNT's birthday in the park

2006-03-10T15:51:00.000+09:30

Tomorrow, Sat, 11 March, 2006, the Network Against Prohibition NT (NAPNT) will celebrate 4 years since its inception at a "Smoke-In" in Raintree Park. The Smoke-In for Human Rights has become a regular NAPNT event, this being the 26th one held and the first for 2006. The Smoke-Ins began in 2002 as a form of protest against the Labor government's draconian drug-house laws and as an expression

NT Drug law-reform group celebrates fourth year

2006-03-04T17:55:00.000+09:30

The Network Against Prohibition NT (NAPNT) will be celebrating their 4th birthday with a Smoke-In in Raintree Park on Sat, 11 March, 2006. NAPNT is a drug law-reform organisation based in Darwin, Australia, and this will be the twenty-sixth Smoke-In for Human Rights the group has held over the past few years. The first Smoke-In was held on 20 April, 2002 as a response to the proposed "

Parliament Invaders take it to the top

2006-02-22T04:56:00.000+09:30

On May 14, 2002, a group of people associated with the Darwin-based drug law-reform group, the Network Against Prohibition NT (NAPNT), invaded the chamber of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly whilst it was in session. The action was a protest at the NT Governments’ ‘drug house’ legislation, legislation that allows police to signpost the homes of drug users with a 1.2 metre high

'Call to arms' as Cannabis Wars erupt

2006-02-06T14:52:00.000+09:30

Alarm bells should be ringing over the suggestion by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, Christopher Pyne, that mental health funding under a Council Of Australian Governments (COAG) agreement should be tied to tougher marijuana laws. There is simply not enough evidence linking marijuana consumption to mental illness. Mr Pyne is mistaken when he states that the link is "

Human rights activist undeterred by prison term.

2006-01-17T17:04:00.000+09:30

Legendary Darwin human rights activist Stuart Highway has been released from Berrimah Jail. Stuart was imprisoned on Tuesday, 18 October, 2005 for an offence related to the drug law-reform campaign of the Network Against Prohibition (NAP) in Darwin in Australia’s Top End. He was sentenced to 8 months jail to be suspended after serving 3 months. It hasn't been all plain sailing for Mr Highway

Stuart Highway likely to ‘go off the air’

2005-12-19T20:38:00.000+09:30

Legendary Darwin human rights activist Stuart Highway is preparing to go “off the air” 62 days into his imprisonment at Berrimah jail. Stuart has been telephoning friends in anticipation of being found guilty at a “hearing” tomorrow morning, which will try him for being an identified drug user (IDU). If found guilty, Stuart will spend 28 days – almost the entirety of the rest of his three-month

Stuart Highway refuses prison drug-test

2005-12-15T07:17:00.000+09:30

A Darwin activist may have to ride out the remainder of his sentence in a "punishment cell" at the infamous Berrimah Prison. Berrimah Prison inmate Stuart Highway has been labelled an “identified drug user” (IDU) for refusing to provide a urine sample to prison officers earlier this week. Stuart, presently serving a three-month sentence for charges arising from his involvement in an October

Time to Free Stuart Highway

2005-12-07T03:13:00.000+09:30

Members of the Northern Territory chapter of the Network Against Prohibition are outraged at the ongoing incarceration of our friend and comrade Stuart Highway. Stuart has now served 50 days in Darwin Prison and he has another 41 to go. NAPNT spokesperson Gary Meyerhoff has expressed concerns about Stuart’s welfare in a letter to the NT Administrator, Mr Ted Egan AO. Stuart was imprisoned for

Darwin residents continue struggle against ‘drug house’ laws

2005-11-11T00:17:00.000+09:30

The NT Chapter of the Network Against Prohibition (NAP), is holding its Silver Jubilee Smoke-In this Saturday. The first Smoke-In, held in April 2002 shortly after the NAP was formed, was marred by police using heavy-handed tactics while trying to disperse the crowd. NAP's Smoke-In for Human Rights is a bi-monthly, peaceful protest highlighting the NT's draconian ‘drug house laws’ and the 'War

International Drug Users’ Day – 1 November 2005

2005-10-31T13:42:00.000+09:30

To acknowledge and celebrate 1st November as International Drug Users Day, drug user organisations from across Australia have organised a variety of events and activities in each state and territory. “International Drug Users Day gives us a chance each year to highlight health, social, legal and human rights issues for people in our community who use illicit drugs” said Fiona Clarke from the NT

Parliament Invaders set to appeal conviction

2005-10-30T11:34:00.000+09:30

Three members of the NT chapter of the Network Against Prohibition (NAP) will appear before the full bench of the Northern Territory Supreme Court tomorrow to appeal against their conviction for invading the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly on 14th May 2002. Stuart Highway (currently in Darwin Prison for his involvement in a NAP-organised drug law-reform protest), Robert Inder-Smith and

Darwin Prison protest: NAP applaud prisoners

2005-10-28T15:51:00.000+09:30

Members of the Northern Territory chapter of the Network Against Prohibition (NAP) have applauded prisoners for their actions at the Darwin Prison in Berrimah yesterday. Prison officers told the ABC that about 80 inmates refused to return to their cells late yesterday morning, complaining about poor meals and a lack of activities. Last week, NAP member Stuart Highway was jailed for three months

Downer must do more

2005-10-23T13:42:00.000+09:30

Save Nguyen Tuong Van - He now faces execution, possibly within 10 days The Network Against Prohibition (NAP) has hit out at claims made by Foreign Minister Alexander Downer that the Australian Government has “done everything we can to plead for his life.” 25-year-old Melbourne man, Nguyen Tuong Van was arrested in December 2002 attempting to smuggle heroin through Singapore. He told police he

Stuart Highway jailed in Darwin

2005-10-19T15:30:00.000+09:30

Will serve three months Veteran human rights and social justice campaigner Stuart Highway was sentenced today to 8 months’ jail for his involvement in a Community Smoke-In held at Darwin in October 2002. The Smoke-in had been organised by the drug law-reform group the Network Against Prohibition (NAP), of which Mr Highway is a founding member. NAP formed to oppose the Martin Government’s ‘drug

Meyerhoff found guilty of invading Clare Martin’s office

2005-10-12T21:01:00.000+09:30

Gary Meyerhoff, a member of the Darwin-based drug law reform group, the Network Against Prohibition (NAP), was today found guilty of ‘business invasion’ by a jury in the Northern Territory Supreme Court. The conviction results from a peaceful protest in the electorate office of NT Chief Minister Clare Martin in August 2002. NAP members attended the electorate office on August 1, 2002 to raise

Jury to retire tomorrow over invasion of Chief Minister’s office

2005-10-11T16:50:00.000+09:30

The trial into the August 1, 2002 ‘invasion’ of Northern Territory Chief Minister Clare Martin’s electorate office will wind up tomorrow. Closing submissions will be heard in the morning before the jury retires to reach its verdict. Gary Meyerhoff, a member of the Darwin-based drug law reform group, the Network Against Prohibition (NAP), represented himself in the trial before Justice Trevor