An 81-year-old Tasmanian Aboriginal elder says Australian courts hold no jurisdiction over Indigenous people and he will not participate in the court process after being charged at a native forest protest. Now a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
  • In short: Aboriginal elder Jim Everett-puralia meenamatta was arrested in March for protesting against native logging in Tasmania. He says he won’t recognise the “colonial” courts.
  • He bailed to appear on June 3, but a warrant was issued for his arrest on Monday after he failed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court.
  • What’s next? Mr Everett says he expects to be arrested again, but he’ll have to be “pushed” into the court — where he intends to question its sovereignty over Aboriginal people.