Hobsons Bay staff have informed traders and Williamstown residents that they have limited legal avenues available to resolve such situations, though they are using all options available to them and urge patience.
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However on Friday they finally swooped, removing Tucker’s encampment with a flatbed truck at 9am after refusing for a week to answer questions from The Age about why it was allowing him to continue his occupation in the busy street.
Council community safety and compliance co-ordinator Carrol Correa, who oversaw Friday’s removal, said the action joint council and Victoria Police operation, but referred further questions to Hobsons Bay media officers.
As well as displaying red ensign flags widely adopted by sovereign citizens, Tucker’s bus features signage for conspiracy group Terra Australis States Assembly, has its Victorian number plates replaced with “private” plates, and has items spilling out onto the nearby footpath where his large dog spends time.
Tucker had eight matters listed in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday but he failed to attend court and a warrant was issued for his arrest, and his bail was forfeited.
When approached by this masthead on Wednesday, Tucker confirmed he had been contacted by council officers on multiple occasions, but said he had informed them they were frauds and had no jurisdiction over him.
“They’ve sent me some letters, and I just sent their letters back to them for fraud,” Tucker said.
“I’m a Terra Australis state national. I’ve revoked my Australian citizenship, so I’m not under their corrupt system.
“It means that I’m a shareholder of this country, and that those public servants work for me. I’m not a subject slave of their system.”
Members of the extreme conspiracy group Terra Australis claim Australian governments are illegitimate and the nation’s laws are invalid, and have established their own form of self-government with assemblies based in each state. Believing in the “strawmen” conspiracy and using their own made-up pseudolaw that has no legal standing, the group claims it conducts its own jury trials and courts.
While he politely declined to be interviewed unless he could have questions sent to him in advance, Tucker said he was preparing to represent himself in court against “travelling”-related charges. Tucker told this masthead he had forfeited his driver’s licence and registration in 2018 because he was no longer a citizen of Australia and was not subject to its laws.
Complaints made to Hobsons Bay Council include allegations Adam David Tucker’s dog has attacked passing dogs and their walkers, and that he is using nearby trees as a toilet.Credit: Justin McManus
“My God-given right to travel freely has been taken away,” Tucker said.
A Victoria Police spokesperson they could not comment on specific investigations.
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“Victoria Police closely monitors a range of groups and individuals to ensure there is no threat to public safety,” the spokesperson said.
“Victoria Police also works closely with its state and federal partners and our joint counter-terrorism team has undertaken a number of investigations covering extremism from a range of backgrounds irrespective of religious, political or ideological motivation.
“It is important to recognise that it is the criminals and criminal activity that is targeted, not ideologies or backgrounds.”
Following The Age’s visit, Tucker placed a handwritten sign in the window of his bus apologising for any inconvenience and saying his vehicle was awaiting repairs.
Complaints seen by this masthead allege Tucker’s bus has a detrimental impact on business and residents who are too scared to use the street, and that his dog has bitten other dogs on at least two occasions, that Tucker regularly and very publicly uses nearby trees as a toilet, and that he has attempted to break into a telecommunications box near his bus.
Builders working at the Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club became so frustrated at Tucker’s presence, they used their own truck to move his bus 100 metres further along Nelson Place to its current position, after the council had failed to move him on.
Council officers have written to Williamstown businesses stating that without police support, they are unable to move Adam David Tucker, who is living in a bus in Nelson Place, Williamstown.Credit: Justin McManus
Wade Ryan, who manages a boat engineering business next to the bus’s current location, has made multiple complaints to the council and police over allegations of inappropriate behaviour without seeing any action result.
“I don’t know why he doesn’t have to play by the rules that we all have to,” Ryan said.
“It’s frustrating. If I parked there I’d get a fine, my car would get towed, and then I’d have the sherif on me.”
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Municipal Association of Victoria chief executive office Kelly Grigsby said councils faced increasing challenges from some community members who were heavily influenced by misinformation, leading to confrontational behaviours that raised serious safety concerns.
“By refusing to comply with our societal and civic obligations such as paying rates or adhering to planning and local laws, councils are incurring increased administrative burdens and legal costs,” Grigsby said.
“Anti-democratic groups are causing significant damage to our communities and the MAV will continue to support efforts to ensure community health and safety.”
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