By TONY MOBILIFONITIS
The northern rivers free state movement held its second meeting very much under the radar of the mainstream media at the town of Eureka, near Byron Bay on June 3rd. There were also threats of disruption by people who apparently love centralised government control.
The proposal for a free state covering much of the north of NSW was officially proclaimed in a gathering of more than 200 people at Murwillumbah on April 23rd. The idea has stirred some vocal opposition but has a long history.
Speaking at the Eureka meeting was Kevin Loughrey, retired Australian Army Lieutenant Colonel and independent candidate for Ballina at the last NSW state election, environmental engineer and former Gold Coast independent candidate Charles Blake and Paramarthi Swami, a Hare Krishna leader based in Murwillumbah, who, as a Hindu essentially, is a strong supporter of cows that have long been a mainstay of the region’s agriculture but are under threat from the anti-carbon globalists. The Swami, aka “The Moobah Monk”, is credited with reviving the recent free state movement.
Both the Swami and Mr Loughrey are outspoken opponents of communism, which they see as the underlying ideology behind globalism and the increasing centralisation of power. Mr Blake referenced a similar problem in “regulatory capture” and systems of government worldwide being hijacked. He shared his experiences in PNG developing local cocoa, rice and sustainable timber use.
Mr Loughrey, a prominent inventor and entrepreneur, whose military training included biological warfare, became motivated to join the battle for political independence when the Covid plandemic arrived. He still promotes technological innovations online and promotes open source software. His and Blake’s vast practical experience will be of immense value to the Free State movement.
The Swami recounted his role in the protest camp set up against coal seam gas fracking in the region by the Chinese-owned Arrow Energy. The NSW state government sent a paramilitary police unit and hundreds of other police against the 1000 protesters but eventually the government relented and cancelled the mining application. He compared the fracking push with the mass fracking industry imposed upon rural Louisiana in the US.
As would be expected in Northern NSW, the group is an eclectic and diverse mix of people, but the free state idea itself is far from anything new, radical or anarchistic. As noted in the group’s well-researched background booklet, even before Federation a movement to increase the numbers of colonies and states was active around people like John Dunmore Lang.
The father of Federation, Sir Henry Parkes, noted: “As a matter of reason and logical forecast, it cannot be doubted that if the Union were inaugurated with double the number of present colonies, the growth and prosperity of all would be absolutely assured.”
Also noted was the fact that in 1933 the NSW Nicholson Royal Commission recommended boundaries for three new states within NSW. A New England New State was proposed by Ulrich Ellis and later, the leader of the Country Party Earle Page proposed Grafton as the capital of a new Northern NSW State.
And the push for a free state continued into the 1950s, 60s and as recently as 2004. In 1953, 21 Northern NSW councils (how many are there now?) defied the State Government and held an unofficial referendum on a Free State and won large majorities. However an official referendum in 1967 was narrowly defeated by a 54% no vote. What municipal council today would dare do such a thing as standing up against a state government?
In 2004 the NSW Farmers Association resolved at their annual meeting to explore a non-metropolitan state – an idea supported at the time by independent MP for New England, Tony Windsor.
A spokesman for the group who identifies himself as Roobs, first heard about Swami’s initiative in August 2021 when he and a friend attended a community group meeting in Murwillumbah. “As soon as talked about his idea I was hooked. Because I grew up on the Southern Gold Coast and Northern NSW and I am passionate about this region. I wanted to include the southern Gold Coast in the Northern Rivers Free State but the monk said no, because they would have to deal with the Queensland government.
“I even drew up a map which included, selfishly, where I live too! But for now those plans are on the back burner, but I will revisit it again when the time is right,” he joked, adding that the focus right now was on the Northern Rivers.
Roobs said the movement could be summed up in the following passage: “Since the beginning of Australian Federation, establishment of additional states within the Commonwealth has been possible and desirable.” “Now is the time for the people of the Northern Rivers to unite for their freedom and protect their unique values and lifestyle.”
He said the new state would be established “from the Tweed to the mighty Clarence River, for Freedom and Integrity, separate from the corporate slavery we all currently endure.”
“The Northern Rivers Free State is the way it should be, where everyone is equal regardless of colour. creed and religion. Where you do to others as you would have done to yourself, where individuals take responsibility for their own actions and do not blame others for their own unfounded fears, and where the only one that controls you, is you. It’s time for NREXIT.”
Roobs is publisher of a magazine called Roobs Flyer, which is in its 13th Edition. Roobs’ print shop has printed and distributed more than a million flyers, banners and brochures all over the country and can be contacted through his web-based business or emailed at roobs@roobsflyers.com.
Australia’s system of Government has some serious deficiencies as evidenced by the events of the last few years and the terrible state of debt and decay in which this country, its citizens and its States find themselves.
These flaws have come about because of the historical evolution of this system of Government. Key to this sad state of affairs is the fact that each colony came to the Federation with its own Constitution, Constitutions that were not the result of a Constitutional Convention formed by the popular will of the people but ones that were crafted by the societal elites of that day. One example of this is the Constitution of the State of New South Wales. Much of it can be altered by the politicians of the day rather than by a Referendum of the citizens of New South Wales. Given the essential role of a Constitution, allowing politicians anywhere near it is tantamount to trusting the fox with the chickens. In a similar vein, the focus of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia was not on the rights of citizens but on how six contumacious colonies would agree to form a Federation of States.
At the root of all of Australia’s problems is the foundation upon which it was formed and that reality has to be a high priority for rectification. It must be remembered that no democracy has ever survived in history. Democracies are poison to any society because an efficient and effective democracy is tantamount to rule by the mob. For that reason, almost perversely, and certainly counter-intuitively, there has to be established and universally agreed a set of rules that are based on human self-interest rather than the interests of the collective.
In order to protect everyone in that society from being exploited and robbed of the fruits of their labour the “mob” must agree on certain inviolable principles, one of which is the right of everyone to earn a living and keep their earnings without being compelled to share these with the entire community. Next to this is the right to defend oneself, be treated fairly by the criminal justice system and the right to free speech. And so it goes.
It must also be appreciated that many people who become involved in politics do not go there for noble reasons. Coincident with this is the fact that every law these people pass is often driven by self interest and strips away the freedom of at least some sectors of the community; always on the basis of this being “for your own safety or benefit”. For that reason, every obstacle should be placed in the way of legislation so that any legislation is subjected to the maximum level of scrutiny before it is passed. Our Constitutional Monarchy fails us in this regard because both Governors of States and the Governor General of the Commonwealth are selected by the Parliament; the very group the Governors are supposed to hold in check. Because Australia has effectively separated from the British Monarch, an entity that does have some proper separation from the Legislature, there is a need for Australia’s Governors, at all levels to be popularly elected by the people. With selected Governors, Australia is already a de facto Constitutional Republic but it is a seriously flawed one because there is no proper separation between the Executive and the Legislature.
This is but a small part of a much greater matter upon which I could easily write a book. The “take-away” from this is that I see the opportunity for us to use this initiative of forming a free State to debate this subject and, maybe, either affect the system of Government throughout Australia or form our own free State, based upon the ideas we arrive at, to provide an example to the rest of Australia as to how a State Government should be better organised.
isaac731… I think you will find this is a very different kind of Hare Krisha they have come a long way and still preach love and peace. The Krishna Farm in Northern Rivers owns 1000 acres of land there – its a huge concern – own school, farm and they run various courses there from permaculture to natural medicine etc. Beautiful place.
Actually George Harrison set up and paid for the Krisha village in the UK and was a close friend of the current Swami at Northern Rivers – the main house there is even called Harrison House.
I hope they can pull this free state off and it seems they have the right people running the movement !
My daughter and son in law want to buy land there, and I will go with them when they do.. Its just beautiful there.
@Roobs: You’re part of it so what do I expect? I am old enough to remember the first jingle-jangle of a Hare Krishna troupe in Queen St, Brisbane some 40-50 years ago, led by a swami and followed by up to 10 young chicks maybe 14YO up, maybe a male or 2, obviously a mind numbing cult. They were begging (money) for their master. The swami may be lucid but not the chicks he could well be shagging.
I remember the Beatles saying they discovered the swamis were more interested in white girls than their religion and that’s why they gave it away.
David… FNQ also have a movement… pls read.. see links.
https://roobsflyers.com/the-northern-rivers-state-movement-eureka-nsw-3rd-june-2023
Godeschalk…. “This can happen to every council in Australia and suddenly the Australian Government has no where to go but to negotiate with these same people. No building or project goes ahead without the approval of the local council.”
I agree with you, it is a beginning that could snowball to other councils. We cannot do it all at once as others suggest.
And I like the Hare Krishnas and am pleased they are involved in this – well done Swami!
WordPress doesnt have that facility apparently. Ed
This action could motivate a revival of the State of North Queensland campaign. The proposed Voice would be lost in the noise if every State decided to rearrange the borXX boundaries. It would be a perfect opportunity to deregister the corporations currently running each state government too! With the Voice, we are on the highway to hell and the Feds want to introduce a toll!
Sir Henry Parkes, the Father of Federation, knew what he was talking about when he said:
“As a matter of reason and logical forecast, it cannot be doubted that if the Union were inaugurated with double the number of present colonies, the growth and prosperity of all would be absolutely assured.”
We could even fund the “Boomerang” Project too!
Ed. Would be great if we could directly reply to comments.
Reply to Lorraine McDonald
“Just another self centred idealist centric idea. Instead of thinking of self, people need to think in terms of all. What good is saving a tiny piece, a corner of one State, when the focus needs to be on saving our whole country and the people who call it home.”
It is unfortunate that you should make that statement. That is how you gain control of people and how, basically the WEF and communists do it: “We must sacrifice the individual for the greater good!”
At least these people are off their respective butts and doing something.
Please be aware that the WEF has infiltrated most local councils and this is how they intend to implement their fifteen minute cities.
A group of people with a singular idea in a one location would have little to no effect on the government of Australia yet they can easily attend their local council meetings and have an immediate influence on that council, eventually taking it over and changing the direction. This can happen to every council in Australia and suddenly the Australian Government has no where to go but to negotiate with these same people. No building or project goes ahead without the approval of the local council.
Excellent comment Lorraine!
Saving a tiny piece of land and some very self centered people of all ideologies and colors screaming: “ME, ME, ME” will not bring ANY change. Lived for years in the “green” Byron shire which became a “national” multi million dollar industry selling the beauty of one of the most remarkable spots of nature in Australia. Once the forced vaccination started many of the opposed greenish locals complied without to much fuss because of “self preservation”. Opposition became muffled permanently under their new masks and the rulers of the “greenest shire in Australia” complied very quickly like the rest of the nation. And now “they” want to break free (again) from the authority they are part of?
Freedom will not be achieved by dreaming about or by claiming a few hectares of land somewhere on a already “barbwire” fenced property that is owned by the “crown”! Today’s Australia is and Australians are very different than four decades ago. Becoming “Un-Australian” was a not much noted process but worked as a charm in decade long greenish/rainbow colored ideology of political correctness and that says a white wog who once migrated here as a useful idiot approved and sanctioned by the almighty FIRB.
To become Australian should be the first priority before starting to dream of “ME” in a made up fantasy of Australia where milk and honey flows freely and without any tyranny of foreign authority. To become Australian should happen rather soon before it only will be remembered in some forbidden history books that have not been “burned” during the coming purge and for cleansing the opposition to the “natural” rule. But who or what will decide who is worthy to be part of a new Australia will be a challenge for both opposing sides.
Just another self centered idealist centric idea. Instead of thinking of self, people need to think in terms of all. What good is saving a tiny piece, a corner of one State, when the focus needs to be on saving our whole country and the people who call it home. This time is Biblical, with all that is happening around us as our world disintegrates. We need to be fighting for and building a new and better way of life and living. At the same time taking down the old, corrupt world we have slaved in for centuries, the most extreme being the current century we are just exiting from. No more wars, for a start. No more corrupt governments (we need to return to the original way of forming governments in this country, with each representative being chosen by their community, and not subject to any party policies. That is a very Communist way of governing -that tells you something about our political system). People need each other urgently right now. We are a diverse and NOT a racially prejudiced country of migrants from different periods in our 200 odd years of settlement. The original inhabitants of this land are already recognized in our constitution as being citizens and able to take part in any and all activities in this country. Which negates the need for amending our Constitution to allow for a Voice, which is a backdoor into the WEF’s One World Order agenda. We need to save our country, not split it into smaller blocks which will become more vulnerable as the States and the country is broken up. This is a sneaky part of the WEF’s agenda, to drive a wedge between people, who need to stop and think and to see what is being proposed is subterfuge, a trick to divide them from the whole of those who can come together and fight. Those who can say as a whole NO, we want none of your games and we will not give our precious taxes to you to play with. Get off with you and leave our country alone. Wake Up people. Think about how you are being tricked left, right and center. Everything you are told is a Lie. You already know that. Time to do something about it. For God and Country we serve.
isaac731, is that opposed to the government who preys on youth by jabbing them with experimental mrna jabs and encourages their parents to do it?
You’re totally wrong about the Hari’s, just like most people are and there are now laws against religious persecution so do your due diligence, like the scribe who wrote this article before giving your incorrect opinion.
And by the way, there’s only 5 Hari’s on the 500 strong, so far, Northern Rivers Free State Movement Mailing list.
Everyone is welcome, our Motto is Without Prejudice.
Teaming up with Hare Krishna; this will only legitimize a cult which preys on youth. I don’t want to be part of that state. Just some real Aussies thanks.
Sounds like a great idea.Time to break away from all the corruption in our present state and federal governments.I wish them luck.
There was talk several decades ago of a state being formed between the Murrumbidgee and Murray Rivers as we are a forgotten area by NSW .
No way do we want to join with Victoria.
Sounds like a good idea. A large part of SA should follow suit