In response to a trespassing charge, an 81-year old Aboriginal elder from Tasmania refused to appear in court.
A magistrate then issued an arrest warrant on Monday for Jim Everett.
He failed to show up for a court appearance in Hobart.
He was on Cape Barren Island, near Truwana. He told the ABC that he would not hide from the law enforcers, and he was prepared to face the charges in court on Tuesday.
On March 19, Mr. Everett was apprehended in the southern Tasmania’s Styx Valley.
He was released on bail to appear on June 3, but he did not show up for the hearing.
The company that manages the forests of Tasmania, Sustainable Timber Tasmania, had been operating on the land where Mr. Everett was arrested.
Despite his arrest, he continues to protest against the company’s activities.
He has not stopped protesting even though he was ordered not to go on the company’s land.
According to Mr. Everett, the main role of Aboriginal people is to protect their country.
They are concerned about the destruction of their country by the activities of the timber company.
He claims that the law enforcers have no power to stop him as he has every right to defend his country.
The issue of sovereignty, as well as the lack of a treaty and the Australian courts’ jurisdiction over Aboriginal people, are also central to his argument.
He intends to test these issues in court, but not through the procedure itself.
He also doesn’t intend to appeal against the sentence he receives, even if it’s a jail term. He claims that he doesn’t recognize the Australian courts.