First Nations man Craig Anthony John Wright seeks for court drop charges

A Moreton Bay First Nations man has entered into a bizarre shouting match with a magistrate, telling him Australia’s recent referendum result mean he could not “employ your jurisdiction onto me”.

Craig Anthony John Wright leaving the Caboolture Magistrates Court on January 9, 2024.

A court north of Brisbane has heard a First Nations man, who dressed in traditional First Owners attire and war paint, sought his charges be dropped in the ‘illegitimate’ court.

Craig Anthony John Wright, 41, appeared in Caboolture Magistrates Court on January 9, 2024, charged with evasion, vehicles used on road must be registered, driving without a licence, driving without a licence SPER susp, obstruct police officer, fail to provide specimen as required of breath test or saliva for saliva test and fail to provide specimen of breath for analysis or blood test on requirement.

When Mr Wright entered the courtroom, dressed in First Nations attire and covered in paint, he told the court he was a First Nations man and acknowledged traditional custodians.

Mr Wright told magistrate James Blanch that he was seeking his charges be dismissed immediately, on the grounds that he was facing a “kangaroo court”.

Craig Anthony John Wright leaving the Caboolture Magistrates Court on January 9, 2024.

“I would like the court to provide evidence of Australia’s national sovereignty through treaty, declaration of war and surrender, prior to alleged federation in 1901,” Wright said.

“If there is no way to obtain this information from the court, then I am seeking an immediate dismissal.

“I would like to face my accuser, the living man or woman that is accusing me of what I’ve been doing.

“I’ve been travelling on my land and on this land, I am not under admiral law.

“We’ve just been under referendum and everyone has seen that we (First Nations people) are not in the constitution, so it’s unconstitutional for you to employ your jurisdiction onto me.

“I’m not seeking an adjournment, I’m seeking a dismissal.”

As the discussion became heated, Mr Blanch told Mr Wright that he wasn’t going to get a dismissal of his charges on those grounds.

“What you’re saying is absolute gobbledygook,” Mr Blanch said.

“I’m afraid you’re barking up the wrong tree.

“It won’t be dismissed, simple as that.

“Leave my court.”

Security had to be called to escort Mr Wright from the courthouse, as he continued to argue with Mr Blanch.

Despite Mr Wright’s continued push for a dismissal of his charges, Mr Blanch adjourned the matter to February 13, 2024.

Originally published as First Nations man Craig Anthony John Wright seeks for court drop charges