6.08.2003

Situationsrapport om forholdene i Australien Rapport fra BF's kolleger i Darwin.

When activists at Network Against Prohibition HQ heard that Australia's national shame and current Prime Minister, John 'the coward' Howard was to spend several days in the Top End on a PR junket, it was obvious that some action to be taken.

Our only problem was deciding on what action would be appropriate to take.

Howard is responsible for so many human rights violations since his election to office, that the only thing which seemed apt was delivering him to a war crimes tribunial (tho. some argue a bullet may be more effective.)

Over the past few days, John has graced the Darwin socio-politico circuit with his presence. A "man of the (rich) people", he spent yesterday at the inaugral Darwin Cup, mingling with fashion victims and corporate investors.

Unfortionatly, John's usual bland brand of bumbling stale opinion was not confined to the rich, and as we prepared for this morning's action, self medicating, virtually inhaling caffine and trying to scrape sleep from our heavy lidded eyes, the horror of commercial radio inspired wrath and ire in us all.

A fascinating interview with John on local radio revealed exactly how boring we imagine him to be, sad but true apparently, the PM's favourite past time is "watching TV".

In concluding his trip to the Top End, John's last public appearance entailed a visit to the hospital staff at Royal Darwin Hospital. As there is only 1 road in and out of the hospital, this seemed the logical spot to launch our protest.

The cruel irony is that despite John's visit to the RDH (congratulating staff on their response to the Bali bombing casualities who were airlifted to Darwin for treatment last year), John's policies have resulted in severly restricted access to basic health care. (What this means for Darwinians, is that it is now virtually impossible to find a doctor who will bulk bill.)

As nurses changed shift and patients covertly smoked, hobbling about the grounds of RDH, a motley contingent of activists championing various causes, unfurled banners and applied last minuite touches to placards.

For almost 2 hours as the last chills of a wintery night evaporating in the sweltering morning heat, we stood patiently awaiting the motorcade we knew would be carrying our national embarrasment.

Our banners proclaimed "war criminal", "Howard=war, war on terror, war on drugs, war on the poor,war on people", "howard supports mass murder in aceh" and most popular (thanks to all those picking up their daily dose in building 9) "heroin on P.B.S".

As the circling of unmarked police cars grew frenzied, we knew he wouldn't be far. Our suspicions were confirmed with the arrival of 2 marked police cars, and 6 police to join the menagere. Like contemptable creatures attracted to an equally contempatble smell, more police were not far off, and within minuites we were outnumbered 2:1 by employees of various paramilitary forces including the australian federal police and the tactical response group.

The arrival of politicians seemed to directly fit their social standing in the parlimentary heirachy. First were lowly Territory ministers, followed by the Territory's Chief Minister, a CLP federal member and finally John himself.

Because of the bail conditions most NAPtivists are currently subject to, we were restricted in what we could do. Hence there was no lobbing of eggs or rotten fruit and noone attempted to obstruct any vehicles.

John, as did the previous ministers etc, sped past us with his trademark self rightious smirk. Unfortionatly his windows were tightly wound, so it's hard to tell if he heard our bellowings.

In a hilarious spectacle, we ran after his car to the entrance of the hospital, still bellowing and clutching banners and placards whilst seriously unfit police attempting persuit.

Upon reaching the entrance of the hospital, as John was ushered inside, we did manage to bellow some more and attempted entry, although this was impossible due to the heavy police presence.

N.b. John Howard har siden overtagelsen af premiere ministerposten lukket metadonbehandlingen i Darwin og der er yderligere indført en ny lov om ”Drug Houses” – (hvis der gentagne gange findes stoffer på en adresse, udstedes forbud om besøg & ophold på adressen) og mange opstramninger omkring stofbrugere i hans iver for at følge USA’s

”Zero tolerence” & War on Drugs politik.  J.K.