Bruce Shillingsworth Jnr, Dylan Willson: Old Parliament House protesters granted bail

One of the men charged in relation to protests on the same day Old Parliament House caught fire, claims he is being kept in a ‘kangaroo court’.

Two men charged after the Old Parliament House fire have been granted bail, with one claiming he was being held in a “kangaroo court system”.

Dylan Wilson, 38, and Bruce Shillingsworth Jnr, 30, fronted ACT Magistrates Court on Friday in relation to their alleged roles in the protest at Old Parliament House late last year.

Mr Wilson has been charged with assaulting a front line community service provider, obstructing a territory official, trespassing, failing to comply with direction without reasonable excuse and arrest while on bail.

Mr Wilson appeared via video-link and indicated he would represent himself and apply for bail.

He did not enter a plea.

When asked by Magistrate Lisbeth Campbell if he would seek legal advice, Mr Wilson said “I can’t find evidence of legal jurisdiction, so no.”

Dylan Wilson (far left, in bucket hat) speaks to supporters after being granted bail at the ACT Magistrates Court. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Prosecutor Alexandra Back told the court bail would be opposed.
“It’s their law, not our lore,” Mr Wilson interrupted.

“There is no evidence of committing a crime.

“I’m still waiting for the proof of national sovereignty.

“(Sovereignty) is a matter of fact not opinion

“(Otherwise) this is a Kangaroo Court. You are unlawfully detaining me in a kangaroo system.”

Magistrate Campbell and Mr Wilson were provided statements of facts to read through.

“You may be lucky,” Magistrate Campbell said.

“The document while lengthy does not have enough evidence to even consider a bail application.”

“But this does not stop police providing evidence later.”

She said the defendant’s bail would continue and under conditions he would not be able to attend the suburb of Parkes, where Old Parliament House and the Aboriginal Tent Embassy is located, except on one occasion to gather belongings under police supervision.

Ms Campbell warned Mr Wilson while his charges were not the most serious in the law book, consistently breaching bail could put him in a worse situation.

Mr Wilson interrupted, saying “Trespass is not a real crime. (You have) no legal jurisdiction.”

Mr Wilson’s bail will continue and he is expected to appear at the ACT Magistrates Court on February 23.

Bruce Shillingsworth Junior has been charged with a string of offences relating to the fire at Old Parliament House on December 2021. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Bruce Shillingsworth Jnr, 30, appeared at the ACT Magistrates Court shortly after Mr Wilson, charged with aiding and abetting arson, assaulting a frontline service provider, obstructing a territory public official, driving while suspended defacing public property and aiding and abetting the damage of Commonwealth property.

Mr Shillingsworth was represented by Daniel Turner from the ACT Aboriginal Legal Service who told the court his client would plead not guilty to all charges.  

A supporter of Mr Shillingsworth asked the magistrate if they could talk to Mr Bruce but was told Campbell that he could not, and told the supporters they could stay in court if they remained quiet and did not interrupt proceedings.

Mr Turner told the court his client would also apply for bail. Ms Back told the court the prosecution would oppose bail.

A supporter then shouted: “You have no jurisdiction,”

Numerous supporters then yelled “objection” before Magistrate Campbell interrupted.

“It’s not like TV where someone jumps up and says objection,” she said.

Ms Back described Mr Shillingsworth as one of the “ringleaders” of the protest at Old Parliament House.

Mr Turner said Mr Shillingsworth’s co-defendant, Nicholas Reed, had been granted bail by the ACT Magistrates Court last week and therefore his client should be considered for bail for the sake of parity.

He told the court his client was a father of four and a consultant in the care and child protection sector and described him as an “otherwise law-abiding person.”

She said the prosecution held concerns that if granted bail, Mr Shillingsworth would continue to be involved in protests.

Bruce Shillingsworth supported his son Bruce Shillingsworth Jnr in the ACT Magistrates Court. Picture: Gary Ramage

Ms Back said the defendant was active in promoting the protest on social media and said there was another protest planned for January 15 at Old Parliament House.

The magistrate addressed Mr Shillingsworth and said “Bail only works if you give your word and keep your word.

“You hold the view that the court does not bind you.”

Magistrate Campbell granted the defendant bail with the conditions he does not contact Nicholas Reed in any way, and he does not go to the suburb of Parkes except on one occasion to gather his belongings under police supervision

She ordered him to stay in Sydney and report three days a week to the Redfern police station while on bail.

The defendant asked to speak and said “this is just bail, not a hearing, it is reasonable to come to an understanding so everything is safe.”

“Peace harmony and unity are (our values) and we need to action that ourselves,” Mr Shillingsworth said.

“I’ve seen a lot of mob locked up on bail offences, I don’t want this to happen.

“I want to diffuse the situation an be peaceful.”

Mr Shillingsworth was released on bail and will reappear for a pre-hearing mention in February.