Northern Coastal Fisheries owner Daniel Schoolmeester charged with new offences in Cairns

A Northern Territory fisherman has been hit with multiple additional charges of causing a person to remain in forced labour, and servitude, after he was extradited to Far North Queensland.

Humpty Doo fisherman Daniel Schoolmeester, 47. Picture: File

A Northern Territory fisherman charged with enslaving crewmen on his fishing vessel in the Arafura Sea has been charged with multiple additional offences after his extradition to Far North Queensland on Wednesday.

Humpty Doo man Daniel Schoolmeester, 47, the owner of Northern Coastal Fisheries, appeared in Cairns Magistrates Court on Thursday morning, where he faced new charges.

Mr Schoolmeester now faces multiple counts of causing a person to remain in forced labour, conducting a business involving the servitude of another person, and deceptive recruiting of labour, all of which are Commonwealth offences.

The offences carry a maximum penalty of 20 years, 15 years, and nine years’ imprisonment respectively.

Mr Schoolmeester was granted bail and will return to Cairns Magistrates Court on March 20.

Daniel Schoolmeester with wife Maria. Picture: File

In Darwin Local Court on Wednesday during Mr Schoolmeester’s extradition application, the court heard he would be able to return home to Humpty Doo under the conditions of his new bail.

The three charges Mr Schoolmeester faced in Darwin were withdrawn and relaid as part of his extradition to Cairns, so as to not fall afoul of his previous bail conditions and the provisions of the Australian Constitution.

He was charged with those offences after a crewman allegedly jumped into crocodile-infested waters in the Arafura Sea on December 19 last year.

He initially appeared in Darwin Local Court on December 29, where he was charged with one count each of causing a person to remain in forced labour, and servitude.

In a statement, the Australian Federal Police said the new charges were the result of an investigation launched last August, when Queensland Police were allegedly forced to rescue two other crewmen from a fishing vessel.

Investigations into Mr Schoolmeester’s business practices are ongoing.

Detective Inspector Mary Bolton said the AFP urged people with information related to this investigation to contact police.

“Recognising and reporting these offences is an important step to ensure the safety and welfare of victims and prosecute those who have exploited and caused them harm,” Det-Inspector Bolton said.

“The AFP is urging anyone who has been through this experience, or knows someone who has, to please come forward and contact the AFP on 131 237 or use the AFP’s confidential online form.”

Alleged slave driving NT fisho extradited to face new charges in Queensland

Earlier, February 14: A Northern Territory fisherman charged with enslaving crewmen on his fishing vessel in the Arafura Sea will be extradited to Cairns to face additional charges.

Humpty Doo man Daniel Schoolmeester, 47, the owner of Northern Coastal Fisheries, appeared in Darwin Local Court on Wednesday to face an extradition application.

The court granted the application and heard that Mr Schoolmeester would be remanded in the custody of Australian Federal Police officers in order to fly to Cairns, in Far North Queensland, on Wednesday afternoon.

He would be kept in custody overnight to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on Thursday morning, where it’s understood he will face additional Commonwealth charges.

Mr Schoolmeester’s prior charges, causing a person to remain in forced labour, servitude and deceptive recruiting for labour, which resulted from a distress call placed to the AFP last December, will be withdrawn and relaid before a Cairns magistrate, the court was told.

Daniel Schoolmeester, 47. Picture: File

This was in order to get around restrictions caused by his existing bail, and to comply with provisions of the Australian Constitution, the court heard.

“He is ultimately going to have to stand trial in Cairns,” defence counsel John Lawrence said.

The court was told that once Mr Schoolmeester faces court in Cairns, he would then return home to the Northern Territory on strict bail conditions.

Mr Schoolmeester was arrested on his vessel in the Arafura Sea on December 20 last year, a day after a crewman allegedly jumped off the boat into crocodile-infested waters to escape the forced servitude.

The NT News previously reported that when AFP officers boarded Mr Schoolmeester’s vessel, workers alleged they had been held with only minimal food and water, made to work extensive hours with little sleep and were subjected to cruel and degrading treatment.

The Commonwealth alleged the workers were recruited via deceptive job listings posted to online marketplace Gumtree.

Mr Schoolmeester, who did not enter pleas to the charges, was granted bail by the Darwin Local Court Judge Tanya Fong Lim on December 29 last year.

On that previous occasion, prosecutor Annabell Bridgland told the court an ongoing investigation into Mr Schoolmeester was looking at 20 years of potential offending with nine other suspected victims.