Warren Tredrea’s bizarre ‘gold and silver coin’ claim, denies he’s a sovereign citizen
AFL great Warren Tredrea’s position on Port Adelaide’s board is under scrutiny after his bizarre comments sparked widespread concern.
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Port Adelaide great Warren Tredrea’s position on the Power’s board has come under question after the premiership captain’s bizarre comments in his court case with his former employer Channel 9.
Tredrea had sought almost $6 million in lost wages from Channel 9 after he was sacked from his role as a TV sports presenter on 9News Adelaide in 2021 following a very public Covid-19 vaccine saga. Tredrea was ordered to pay all Channel 9’s legal costs.
He lost the trial and was ordered to pay costs between $100,000 and $200,000 for a failed appeal.
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But Tredrea told the Federal Court on Tuesday he cannot pay legal costs because he doesn’t believe in Australian legal tender and would have to repay his former employer in precious metal.
Representing himself Tredrea claimed there isn’t sufficient gold or silver to cover Nine’s legal costs, so he issued an IOU, a written promissory note.
“I believe only gold or silver coins in common circulation can pay a debt,” Tredrea said in court.
The 46-year-old claimed the debt was “discharged” because Nine did not respond to his request. Nine did not accept the promissory note as a valid form of payment.
The former AFL great, who is now representing himself, stated in court documents that he is a “private man” and not a “legal person, citizen or resident”, but he denied being a sovereign citizen.
“I answer to the name Warren Tredrea of South Australia, a private man, my yes be yes, my no be no,” Tredrea said in court.
“I am not an entity, legal person, citizen, resident or any form of creature of statute.
“I have not been provided with any material facts or evidence that shows there exists any lawful gold or silver coin of substance in common circulation upon which to close, pay and extinguish an account.
“I believe sincerely that none exists … I believe no gold or silver coin in circulation can pay a debt.”
Speaking outside court on Tuesday, Tredrea disputed claims he identifies as a sovereign citizen.
Asked if he recognised himself as an Australian citizen, Tredrea said: “Absolutely I do. That’s just a farcical approach and an attempt by Channel 9... they threatened to bankrupt me when these proceedings started and that’s what they’re trying to do now.”
“I am a citizen and they have already been paid from a legal form of payment, check all the Federal Acts.”
The court ruled Tredrea’s dismissal was “not unreasonable” given his “opinions” about vaccines “were not particularly well-informed” nor “soundly based”.
Tredrea was initially spared paying Nine’s costs, but he filed an appeal in November 2024, which the court denied.
In April this year, it ordered Tredrea to pay Nine’s costs of the appeal, stating his challenge was “without reasonable cause”.
Port Adelaide has declined to comment, telling Seven: “The club won’t be making any official statement as it considers this to be a private matter between Mr Tredrea and the Federal Court.”
Tredrea and Nine will return to court at a later date, with a full court of three judges called before the matter can proceed.
Tredrea’s comments have concerned former AFL players and brought into question his position on Port Adelaide’s board.
Tredrea’s premiership teammate Kane Cornes told Channel 7’s Agenda Setters: “I feel a bit sad that he’s in that situation. I don’t think anyone wants to be doorstopped out the front of court.
“It’s not an ideal situation, owing money to someone. This isn’t ideal for the Port Adelaide Football Club at all. They should be a bit stronger with what they are saying.
“Port Adelaide fans deserve a little more than that. There is an instability there. I think they needed to be a bit stronger there.”
Caroline Wilson said: “This is a highly sensitive situation. No one at Port Adelaide will comment.”
Wilson added that Tredrea’s contract with Adelaide radio station FIVEaa, owned by NOVA Entertainment, “will be looked at very closely”.
Luke Hodge added: “Surely Port Adelaide would have concerns with a board member … they look unstable.”
Wilson said: “There’s been concerns about some of the things Warren has been saying for some time. But at board level I’ve been assured his performance has been, if not strong, pretty good.
“He is closing doors within the Port Adelaide community, there’s no doubt about that.”
Originally published as Warren Tredrea’s bizarre ‘gold and silver coin’ claim, denies he’s a sovereign citizen
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