The Thompsons farm lies idle, under siege.
For all the supporters of the Thompsons, Janet writes to describe the kind of limbo they are living in. The eviction day October 15, came and went in a blur of work. They remain on the property only due to court injunctions, which have no certainty. Matt and Janet are their own lawyers — doing all the paperwork — with helpful advice from all round, especially Peter King. Legal suits were launched from both sides. The Thompsons are basically under siege, living week to week in their home, waiting, though not sitting still. They can’t farm, so creating political pressure and fighting in the courts are their only options.
It’s an all or nothing game — they have to raise public support: 1/because it’s the best way to pressure the government (by shaming them), and if they could get an effective bankable license the situation might be transformed. 2/ Because for the bigger picture, it seems that hardly anyone is gathering the farmers, fishermen, landholders, and producers. Janet and Matt are a magnetic node in a embryonic movement that is desperately needed here. And 3/ Where is The West Australian?
The Thompsons business went from thriving to dying because the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) changed their license conditions for political reasons, partly it seems because the Thompsons spoke out against the theory of man-made global warming. The cause of their plight is purely political, not business-related. Therefore the solution, if any, has to be a political one.
To give an idea of just how political this is, who should turn up at the last two hearings between a bank a business? None other than Paul Byrnes from the DEC. Why are taxpayer dollars being used to “watch” legal proceedings between two private groups? DEC are spooked, and so they ought to be. Their lack of professionalism, tyrannical power, and misuse of taxpayer funds is being exposed.
Guest post from Janet Thompson
We are still on our property, living behind locked gates, not ever leaving our property unattended, for fear that the receivers will move in, take equipment and change the locks while we are gone.
No feed, no cows. This is the DEC "business" way.
On 17 September, the National Australia Bank (NAB) gave us 4 days to pay them back. Before the 4 days were up, NAB appointed Ferrier Hodgson as receivers and managers (R&M) of our company, Narrogin Beef Producers (NBP). NBP is wholly owned by us…it’s part of our family trust.
We do not deny the fact that we owe the bank money, nor do we deny that we have defaulted under our loan agreement. But the R&M have claimed ownership of our case against the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). We believe that in order to fully realize the value of our property, and to pay back ALL creditors…not just NAB…we need to pursue this case against DEC with all our might. Therefore, we are asking that the R&M join with us in our case, as opposed to quickly liquidating assets so as to only partially repay the NAB (and collecting their own substantial fees).
Because we were willing to go public with our story, and because of the amazing amount of support we received when Joanne Nova, Anthony Watts, and many other good people put our story up, we have received: donations of money to our children, to help put a roof over our heads when we are forced to leave our property; donations of time from lawyers and consultants; moral support in the form of phone calls, emails and faxes; offers of sheds and empty houses for a place to live; and the list goes on.
All of these are invaluable to us, and we cannot thank you all enough.
The R&M gave us to October 15 to vacate the premises. Because of pro-bono legal advice, we have so far blocked the attempts to take equipment and property, and have remained on site. On 20 October, we filed suit against DEC in the Federal Court of Australia. We are hopeful that we can make a difference.
Abbey
At this point in time, all money donated for the children through PayPal is still in Jo Nova’s account. In the mean time, we are living on my part-time wage. Matt and I are working many hours a day on our case (doing our own legal work, with excellent pro-bono support from a number of people, including Barrister Peter King of Sydney), maintaining the property, caring for our children and home, working my job, and attempting to keep people updated online.
(We are also not giving up on core projects that are important to us, like fighting climate change alarmism in its many forms and incarnations. We believe it is that speaking out that brought our family business to such demise, and we do not want to win a personal battle, only to find that a larger and more important battle is lost in the mean time. Here in Australia, the coalition between Labor and the Greens is threatening much of our progress.)
At the moment, at least here in Western Australia: the environmental and animal rights extremists have been so organized, so vocal, and so well-funded for the last 30 years or so, and we producers have been so busy producing, and so trusting of people’s goodness, that politicians are only catering to one end of the spectrum – the extreme left. In order to make the most of our horrendous story, we must carry out a multi-pronged approach:
- We must push for the courts to rule on the constitutionality of legislation that gives a government department like DEC such untempered and absolute power as they have. (This is part of our application in Federal Court.)
- We must let our “conservative” politicians know that we are going to be more angry if they do not act on shoring up property rights, than the other side will be if they do.
- And to support both of these agendas, we MUST, somehow, get publicity and public support. Last Monday’s demonstration was a classy and respectful way of doing this, and it was wildly successful, judging by the mainstream media coverage we received. Why must we carry out stunts to get attention? I do not know, but I know that the dark greens are only too willing to do so, and they control our legislative process at the moment.
(It’s a shoe-string operation: I spent $84 on supplies for the Funeral for Property Rights on the steps of Parliament House last Monday, and I gave our friend, the bagpipe player, some money for petrol, as he drove up and back (4 ½ hours total) pro-bono because he believed in our cause — but he could not really afford it on his pension. We will eat Ramen noodles for a week to offset these costs, and it is well worth it.)
This is not just about Matt and Janet Thompson or our four young children. This is about fundamental human rights and the defence of those rights. Core to those rights is secure tenure of property.
because tyrants cannot take from us more than they already have, we are liberated. We can now speak freely
We are down, but not out. In fact, because tyrants cannot take from us more than they already have, we are liberated. We can now speak freely. We can now be the face and the voice for the thousands of people who have been adversely affected, but still have too much to lose to speak out publicly.
If anyone is concerned about this direction, please just let us know. But if you support us, please continue to support sites like WUWT, Joanne Nova, and the host of other truth-seeking, independent-minded individuals who are not willing to cower under threats from tyrants.
Janet
Luke
Will
Matt and Kate
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The one page describing The Thompsons long saga includes maps, links to many of my posts on the topic and a place to make donations for their children.
………………
I still don’t know where you find the strength Janet and Matt? Well done to Peter King and the others who are assisting pro bono.
Jo, can you put the direct donation link up again? This is going to be a long haul for the Thompson’s.
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If the DEC people were required to risk a a tiny fraction of their income or their superannuation, they would faint. To risk all in an operation like the Thompsons’ would stop their hearts.
A sense of their own inadequacy is what’s driving them. I’m not one of those who assumes the worst of officialdom or public service – quite the contrary. But when officialdom and public service go rotten, that stench of envy is far more malignant than the odour from any feedlot.
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I see the Thompsons got some coverage in Farm Weekly again:
http://fw.farmonline.com.au/news/state/agribusiness-and-general/general/farmers-gather-to-bury-property-rights/1980862.aspx
It’s a shame the Cottesloe Council didn’t come out to try and fine you for digging a hole on the beach. That would have put the icing on the cake … and you know I mean this in the best possible (ironic) way.
Keep us informed of how we can continue to help through political pressure, rallies, alerting the media etc.
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Is it possible to shame, and subsequently defeat, the shameless? Let’s hope so. Best of British luck to the Thompsons!
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Repost from an earlier thread (Smell that evidence) at Janet’s request:
The Local reports that the German town of Aachen stinks
Even with the best technology and scientific minds, they can’t isolate or fix it.
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[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Legal Lawyer, Joanne Nova. Joanne Nova said: Update on the farmers who are under seige from the Dept of Environment. The Thompsons saga continues. http://tiny.cc/i4vn2 […]
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For God sake, can’t someone simply go to the Premier, lay out the evidence of this appalling case, and get him to sort out this bloody mess, which has been caused by government bureaucratic bungling and which has created so much misery to the Thompson family?
This case can easily be resolved by the Premier and the responsible Minister without any need to resort to the courts. It can be stopped by the politicians and senior government bureaucrats. Commonsense easily exposes the injustice of this case.
If government officials and politicians can’t see the injustice of this case, then there is only one body to which the Thompson family should refer their case … the Ombudsman. Good luck.
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[…] 1. We must push for the courts to rule on the constitutionality of legislation that gives a government department like DEC such untempered and absolute power as they have. (This is part of our application in Federal Court.) 2. We must let our “conservative” politicians know that we are going to be more angry if they do not act on shoring up property rights, than the other side will be if they do. 3. And to support both of these agendas, we MUST, somehow, get publicity and public support. Last Monday’s demonstration was a classy and respectful way of doing this, and it was wildly successful, judging by the mainstream media coverage we received. Why must we carry out stunts to get attention? I do not know, but I know that the dark greens are only too willing to do so, and they control our legislative process at the moment. […]
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[…] Nova writes an update about the story of the Thompsons. My thanks to all WUWT readers who lended support. Know […]
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I still think a manure delivery will put a quick end to this stink
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Mervyn, #7
it is with a sombre hand that I write that the Thompsons have been to the Ombudsman, starting I think around September 2009.
Like everything else, there is always a litany of excuses and a lot of delays.
I thought this couldn’t happen in Australia.
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I personally appreciate all that Jo has done on this site.
I am a strict believer in the rights of the individual over encroaching government and socialism.
It is up to the people to prevent the shackles of oppression and the Thompson’s are but one example of the corrupting influence of power in government.
Below are four quotes from George Washington. They are as significant today as they were back in the late 1700’s.
“Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession.”
“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
“The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create whatever the form of government, a real despotism. A just estimate of that love of power, and proneness to abuse it, which predominates in the human heart is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position.”
“Occupants of public offices love power and are prone to abuse it.”
Simply, democracy cannot flurish if the people, within the democracy, willingly give up their freedom to government power.
Australians have a fierce loyalty to democracy and now is the time to stand up against government despotism.
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Time to wade into this problem.
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My heart goes out to you all. I pray for justice to be served. I am ever hopeful that right will triumph in the end. You have to keep believing that. We are slowly winning the battle over climate change and this is all part of that struggle between good people and bad governments and bureaucrats.
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I have been watching your crucifixion from the UK and I have the deepest sympathy for you and great admiration for your courage to persevere in the face of spectacular bureaucratic malignancy.
I really pray that you will be successful. The stakes in your case for the Australian economy and citizens’ rights are enormous. The tide is turning against unelected and doctrinaire bureaucrats, supported by galactically stupid greens, as people are now waking up to the immense damage they are doing to society.
Keep on going
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I can’t see the way to donate – could you let us know?
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jo –
u ask “Where is The West Australian?” – whose major shareholder is channel seven’s kerry stokes – a paper considered rightwing, with a former news limited editor.
better to ask, why is no media covering the thompsons’ plight. after all, what happened to the so-called ‘current affairs’ program that ‘showed’ interest in doing a piece?
‘orange’ posted bolt’s link on the previous thread re the following, but nothing can prepare u for the shocking ad hom attacks on CAGW sceptics – lunatic, fruitcake, denialist and more – and the blind acceptance of the IPCC/ al gore/hansen agenda – being broadcast multiple times by abc’s “big ideas” program covering the following forum which took place on 22nd october. even maurice newman is attacked:
University of Technology, Sydney, Australian Centre for Independent Journalism
Reporting Climate Change: Munster forum
‘The scientific consensus about the increasing scale and urgency of climate change has made journalism’s commitment to traditional concepts of fairness and balance obsolete.’
The 2010 George Munster forum discussed whether the traditional norms of journalism have let the public down in reporting on climate change? Speakers:
•Professor Ann Henderson-Sellers, ARC Professorial Fellow, Macquarie University, former Director UN World Climate Research programme and an international leader in climate change.
•Sarah Clarke, National Environment and Science correspondent, ABC
•Ben Cubby, Environment Editor, Sydney Morning Herald
•Associate Professor Philip Chubb, Journalism, Monash University
http://www.acij.uts.edu.au/index.html
4 Nov: ABC Big Ideas: 2010 George Munster Award Forum
Thursday 6pm (3pm WA, 5pm Q/NT) and Sunday 5pm
repeated 12am Monday and 3am Friday
Listen or Download
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bigideas/stories/2010/3057366.htm
i woke up half an hour early this morning and heard the second half only, and COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EARS. not sure i could bear to listen to the rest, but we need a full transcript to fully appreciate the shallowness of what masquerades as journalism in australia today. as someone who only listened to/watched abc for decades, i have to say it is rare i tune in any more.
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I think Janet’s second last paragraph summarises modern democracy.
Sadly we are now in a situation where ‘you are only truly free, when you have nothing left to lose’
The biggest challenge trying to fight these people is time. Time is always on their side and against people like Thompsons. The bureaucrats still get paid and they will simply sit on their hands, stall and stonewall until eventually the people fighting them are bankrupt and destitute. They can drag these things out for years – and they do.
Ironically the Thompson the biggest mistake was trying to do the right thing and comply with the conditions that were presented to them. If they had simply ignored the bureaucrats directions and continued business as normal the shoe would have been on the other foot and it may well have been the bureaucrats who eventually gave up in frustration. By ignoring them you force them to do the work and that is something they don’t like.
A quote from someone with a bit of experience in these things “it is far easier to get forgiveness, than it is to get permission”
That is the current situation of our society. Obey the law and attempt to do the right thing and that will be used against you. Simply ignore the law and do as you please and more often than not you will get away with it.
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I have been following this abuse of power, since Anthony Watts first posted it on WUWT. I n reading this latest piece, I am happy that the Thompsons are still so upbeat. I am sad that they had to eat noodles, after spending so much on their rally ($84??). I understand that they are leaving our donations to their children untouched for the uncertain future. Is there a way I (we) could make a donation for their immediate needs? Perhaps a button to pick up the tab a the local grocery store?
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One suggestion is to investigate with your legal counsel if any individuals at DEC have broken any laws under the Commonwealth Crimes Act such as provision of misleading information, deceptive conduct or falsification of records (amongst others). I recall in a previous post that Janet had implied the DEC admitted to some wrong doing, however I do not recall to what extent. I suggest holding individuals at the DEC accountable. Convictions under the crimes act can be severe, carrying upto 10+ yrs imprisonment.
You should obtain all records from the DEC on your case – from hand written notes, to internal emails, archived emails, records of conversation under a FOI request or thru your legal counsel.
It should also be noted that individuals from the DEC are trolling this website.
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“We will eat Ramen noodles for a week to offset these costs, and it is well worth it.”
I’m sure I’m not alone amongst those who made a small donation in feeling that a small amount of the money given for the children’s sake should be used to feed their parents properly. No-one can take the best possible care of four children in the best of circumstances whilst living on ramen – let alone under the pressure and stress that the Thompsons are currently living with.
I’m sure it’s in the children’s best interests for the Thompsons to get the best possible resolution to all this mess, and I’m equally sure that it’s necessary to eat properly to fight as effectively as possible.
If the Thompson’s feel it would be wrong to use any of the money already donated in this way, I hope Joanne will open a second fund to which we can donate specifically to go towards this week’s groceries.
The first time round, I donated out of sympathy, but if the Thompsons are willing to go hungry to fight for a cause I approve of, I can afford an extra few dollars to make sure they can fund the fight without having to miss any meals.
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Binny,
The same paragraph bought home a submission i gave to the standing committee years ago , on the effects of the environmental issues to private and leaseholders private property rights.
Good hardworking families who are striving to improve and provide for future generations , are penalized and held to account to benefit the whole community at little or no cost.
What message and incentive does this send to the next generation. Australia the great land of opportunity, work hard pay taxes, buy a property . What the Government failed to do , is secure the promise . THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN DREAM is an illusion, especially for the working class.
SECURE TENURE OF PROPERTY is one of the most important issues nationally, and all but a few courageous ministers have taken a stand on the issue of PROPERTY RIGHTS, and the effect the environment laws are having on the wellbeing of family members. Bank rates and Local government rates will bring about the second wave of property loss.
Besides the good support from Dennis Jensen in WA, where in GODS name are all Ministers in WA support for its constituants.
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[…] LINK […]
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Appreciate all the comments.
What has become painfully clear to me is that without secure property rights, we automatically lose freedom of speech. Legislation that allows for selective enforcement of policies and regulations + a government’s ability to “take” property without just terms compensation = disaster for society.
Cheers All,
Janet
P.S. In looking at my own photo, I could obviously do WITHOUT eating for a week! Damn those profile pics! LOL. You can see that we are all healthy, and despite our situation, we truly are happy. It is our choice. But is sure helps to have good people encouraging us. Thanks again and again…
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I posted this story once before on Jo’s site, but felt that it might be appropriate to post it again. You have no idea how this has carried us through time and again. When I begin to think it’s all too much, I remind myself, “But how would I be feeling today IF…”
<
We have nothing….except clear consciences, a just cause, wonderful friends, supportive productive “strangers” backing us, a legal team working pro bono, Joanne Nova and Anthony Watts and a host of other bloggers who care about truth, four wonderful (and alive!) children, each other.
We have nothing.We have everything.10
I see the rabid Greens at the EDO ran an article on Max Szulc in their most recent newsletter:
http://www.edowa.org.au/newsletters/201009Newsletter.pdf
At least they didn’t gloat over the court decision and the resulting jail time.
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Off topic, and sorry about that…. I’ve been out of the loop for a month due to comp troubles.
Need to know about William Connally- when they banned him from Wiki, did they give thousands of people back, the chance to correct their own work, which he ruined with lies?
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How shallow and callous is the NAB? A business with spine could easily add it’s weight to the cause of real people like The Thompsons and all that they represent.
For every “stranger” you ( Janet T ) have not met I’m sure there are many more who look on with distain at what is happening to good people in this land.
Hang in there and keep us posted.
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A reminder that this isn’t an isolated occurrence. See
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/fapa_ctte/climate_change/index.htm
and
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/fapa_ctte/climate_change/report/report.pdf
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You can’t prosecute these, only the police can… and it is very unlikely they will be interested in prosecuting a government employee.
I’m happy to be corrected if anyone else knows better.
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I’ve only recently come across this aspect and still researching it, but, there is a fiction in operation in the UK, and it seems in other countries also, which has usurped the term ‘legal’ by claiming rights it doesn’t have over the individual by creation of ‘the person’ and within this claims ‘legality’ against common law, what is really lawful or not, see John Harris and Lawful Rebellion and such. What someone has come up with on the basis that contracts made within this unlawful corporative fraud relating to debt on loans, is that contracts made within this are not able to prove they are lawful, and not being able to prove they are lawful means they cannot be enforced.
From: http://www.wholetruthcoalition.org/freeman-common-law/
Another side to Lawful Rebellion and to the Grand Deception we are exposing, which will be extraordinarily popular with families struggling to find the money to pay the monthly mortgage, loan and credit card repayments, is that can all be written of lawfully! That’s right.. written of lawfully! Go to
http://www.fmotl.com/HowToGetOutOfDebt.htm
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Don’t know if this would od any interest.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101104194005.htm
Predictive Power of Dairy Cattle Methane Models Insufficient to Provide Sound Environmental Advice, Study Finds
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Re my second link post 31 above. There’s another link on that page to a very good explanation of how mortagaes on properties are generated. Even if not in a predicament where the bank has written off your debt and turned the collection over to a debt collection agency.., it is quite fascinating to see how the creation of money is dependent only on someone requesting a loan, because the money for the loan doesn’t exist until this happens. By the process of selling on this ‘debt’ to another bank, the original ‘giver of the loan’ gets several times the loan’s worth plus interest over the time period of the loan, the original seller is paid out of this ‘conjoured up money’ and the ‘giver of the loan’ ends up with what’s left plus the property until the such time the original ‘borrower’ pays off the ‘loan’.
There’s been a move to give corporations the status of ‘persons’ in the US, probably in response to more people coming to understand that money is created out of debt and that there is no actual lawful contract in place.
This kind of banking takeover of the money supply only happened in the US in 1913, I think there are still some countries left who print their own money (thereby not incurring debt and interest payments to banks by having to borrow it from them), but it’s surely against the interests of the general population of any country to turn over the printing of money to bankers. We’re now having to pay off their gambling losses by higher taxes and substantial drops in the standards of living of the poorer majorities..
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Hi Janet,
Its that time of year, I’d like to know about local “Shire” shops that deliver directly to your door (lets avoid the mail due to the slime that your local post office allows to collect your mail) and what is on the “naughty or nice” list for Kate, Abbey, Will, and Luke this year.
Here in the USA, UPS and FedEx or a no-brainer but out in WA it may be delivered on a sleigh of Grey Kangaroo 😉 — I need some help with the best approach so its delivered to you directly and some suggestions.
Best to You and Yours,
John from CA
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PS Janet,
I’m a great “Father Christmas” but I’m also a very pragmatic Santa. I need to know if you have the “lights on”, a freezer capable of a side-of-beef, a logic of scale and : ) taste.
Give me a wish list for December and delivery instructions — in the “worst of times” I’d like to help them remember the Best [you and Matt].
Best,
John from CA
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Joanne,
When the orders are placed, can I (we) account for “O Tannenbaum” from here 😉
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