Our Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is not a monarchist which may explain why he snubbed a 'royal' invitation to attend Prince Leonard's abdication ceremony to be held tomorrow at the Principality of Hutt River.
After almost five decades on the throne, Leonard George Casley, or self-proclaimed Prince Leonard, now aged 92, hands over the principality, 500 kilometres north of Perth, to his 59-year-old son Prince Graeme.
Over the last 47 years, Prince Leonard not only issued his own stubby holders but also his own currency, his own postage stamps, his own passports (he claims a worldwide citizenry of 14,000), even his own diplomatic passports and national anthem.
It also appointed its own ambassadors and at one time in 1977 declared war on Australia but hostilities ceased several days later.
Naturally, he also refused to pay Australian taxes of any kind. Last week the tax office issued a writ, claiming he owes $2.6 million in unpaid GST on his souvenir sales. That's a lot of stubby holders! Of course, he's fighting this as he was given non-resident status in 2005.
The new Prince is not surprised the Prime Minister could not attend. "They're very busy ... the Premier of Western Australia's also very busy with the state election coming up, so perhaps he might be busy that weekend as well", he said.
However, Prince Graeme urged anyone who had not yet confirmed their attendance to do so as soon as possible, so he could "make sure there's enough cucumber sandwiches".
I've emailed them via their website to confirm that the Republic of Riverbend would send an emissary, Minister for Good Times Rover ORR (Order of the Republic of Riverbend), if we can get a visa in time.
P.S. Over the years, Prince Leonard's appointment of ambassadors all over the world and the issue of HRP passports has kept Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs on their toes. Someone by the name of Ben Garrett took the trouble to obtain under FOI a pile of documents which make compelling reading - click here for a bit of a chuckle.
P.P.S. Well, the PHR Ministry of Foreign Affairs is far more responsive than our own. Within hours of my inquiry, I received the following reply: "To the Republic of Riverbend. Greetings! Thank you for your email which has been forwarded for attention of the PHR Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please visit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Regards PHR STAFF, Principality of Hutt River, Via Western Australia 6535, E-Mail: huttriver@principality-hutt-river.com, Website www.principality-hutt-river.com" Stay tuned for more!
P.P.P.S. Their final reply:
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Dear Sir
Thank you for your email though just to make sure that it is plain and easily understood, I must inform you that we would not issue a visa for such a representative to attend. Before I go further I need make it quite clear that we do not involve ourselves in any form with micronations. Should such a person arrive they would be turned away so please be advised to save problems. The Principality of Hutt River came to be as a result of legal battles between the land holder, the Commonwealth of Australia, the State of Western Australia and the British Crown. The battle was over a wrongful wheat quota, a quota that if not fought against, or if the fight were lost, would have resulted in not only the loss of future income but in our case the resumption of the land by the Government without recompense, as they were threatening, something that obviously had to be fought against. see here The result of the legal battle as it developed was the secession of the land as the only choice in the end, something which the laws at the time allowed for, given the circumstance. This was all achieved in the courts, using the applicable laws at the time; it was not something sought after or aimed at but simply the resultant progression of a legal battle. see here It is fact that the secession of this land was achieved using the law and that the PHR continues self-rule after more than 45 years with no involvement of the Australian State or Federal governments apart from small annoyances every now and then. see here Being recognised in law is also the reason why all resident subjects of the PHR are declared non-resident in Australia by the ATO with no taxes payable (to Australia) - see here and here - and no social services are paid from Australia to the PHR, nor any Medicare etc etc. All resident subjects of the PHR were removed from the Australian Electoral Rolls by the Australian authorities after the secession was declared and social security cheques received in the weeks following secession were claimed back by the Australian Commonwealth and were returned to them. All taxes are now paid to the PHR Government by resident subjects at the PHR applicable rates and the welfare of the PHR subjects resident in the PHR is the responsibility of the government of the PHR. Declaring independence is not something that can be done simply because someone thinks it a good idea or because of some squabble or simple disagreement, neither of which applied in the case of the Principality of Hutt River. It is simply not possible to wake one day and decide that you do not agree with the laws of the land where you live and therefore form your own nation, if it were we would all be living in a state of anarchy. With regards the many that contact us seeking advice or assistance I'm afraid it is the strict policy of Prince Leonard and the Government of this nation not to involve itself in matters that concern others, just as we do not like outsiders interfering in our concerns. No-one here is qualified to offer legal advice nor able to become involved in advising on matters such as secession etc. We therefore do not offer discussions or advice to the many who think that they can do the same or who would like to separate themselves from something they do not agree with. Thank you for your thought, but we certainly do not class ourselves as "micronationalists" and do not involve ourselves with requests for assistance, treaty’s or any other such things with micronationalists, nor do we offer or require any form of acceptance, recognition or relationship with such entities.
However, we wish you well. |
