Internationally-recognised Cape York author and academic Harold Anthony Ludwick, 56, jailed for two years over tax fraud

A Cape York leader and internationally-recognised academic has been jailed for $134,908 tax fraud in what a Cairns judge has described as a “significant fall from grace”.

Harold Anthony Ludwick at the James Cook Museum in Cooktown in 2020. Photo: Brian Cassey

A Cape York leader and internationally-recognised academic has been jailed for tax fraud in what a Cairns judge has described as a “significant fall from grace”.

Novelist, academic, board member, gold prospector and biosecurity ranger, Harold Anthony Ludwick, 56, pleaded guilty in Cairns District Court Thursday to three counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception, and three counts of attempting to obtain financial advantage by deception.

Commonwealth prosecutor Sam Lanskey said the total of the fraud was $134,908 with Ludwick dishonestly obtaining $50,948 in goods and services tax refunds, and attempting to obtain a further $83,960 – even after being warned he would be audited by the ATO.

He used a legitimate Australian Business Number to make the false claims, the court was told.

Ludwick co-authored an award-winning work of historical fiction, On a Barbarous Coast, described by its publisher as an “alternative retelling of Captain James Cook’s story”.

On a Barbarous Coast. Craig Cormick and Harold Ludwick

Mr Laskey said Ludwick lodged six business activity statements with false information between January and June 2022.

The court was told Ludwick made confessions when questioned by police, saying he was “told by another person how easy it was lodge the claims”.

He used the funds on alcohol, fuel and gambling, his children’s boarding school costs, and gifted money to friends and family in need, Mr Lanskey said.

“The primary sentencing consideration is general deterrence given the prevalence of this type of offending in the community,” Mr Lanskey said.

Defence solicitor Bernard Campigli said Ludwick, despite his year 8 education and hardship in his life, had worked hard to become an internationally-recognised academic, author and a leader in his home community of Hope Vale.

“He has presented papers in Geneva and Rio, and worked in London. He has significant academic achievements and studied a Masters at Melbourne University,” Mr Campigli said.

He also has expertise, training and scholarship in conservation, land management, human rights and social change, the court was told.

Mr Campigli said Mr Lanskey was proud of his seven children, who he supported through school, and who have varied careers and jobs in mining, education and health.

In sentencing, Judge Dean Morzone KC acknowledged Ludwick’s history as a “steadfast, resilient and able leader” who had overcome significant issues in his life, including limited formal education as a boy, drug use and being a victim of crime.

Harold Ludwick, co-author of A Barbarous Coast. Photo: George Serras.

Judge Morzone said Ludwick’s BAS claims of conducting a business with $1.3 million in expenses were “blatant and absurd”.

“Your offending is deliberate and intentional. You were motivated by greed and financial gain,” Judge Morzone said.

Judge Morzone said a sentence of imprisonment was necessary as both a personal and general community deterrent “to stop you and to send a message to others”.

He sentenced Ludwick to two years imprisonment with an order that Ludwick be released after serving four months on a $1000 two-year good behaviour bond.

“It’s very disappointing that it is a significant fall from grace,” he said.

“The mark of a man or leader is how he bounced back … and I do hope that when you do return to the community that they will see you are working to pay back the community.”

Originally published as Internationally-recognised Cape York author and academic Harold Anthony Ludwick, 56, jailed for two years over tax fraud