Hutt River Province borders set to stay shut after land sold to local farmers while ATO waits on proceeds

The self-proclaimed Hutt River Province micro-nation at Northampton has been bought by a local farming family and is unlikely to re-open as a tourism destination. Proceeds from the sale are expected to be claimed by Canberra over Federal taxes that the late Prince Leonard Casley refused to pay between 2005 and 2013 because of his self-proclaimed monarch status. Sources says the Hutt River Province land, about 40km north-west of Northampton, has sold for less than the $3.3 million-plus being claimed by the Australian Taxation Office on the strength of judgments and caveats. Although the name of the buyer has not been released, it is understood to be an established farming family that had operated in the district for many decades. The 6100ha grain and sheep property became an independent principality 51 years ago when eccentric farmer Mr Casley evoked a provision in the Magna Carta and announced he was seceding from Australia. His push into politics and tourism came after a stoush with Federal and State officials over wheat production quotas. Although the Commonwealth has never legally recognised the 75sqkm Hutt River as a sovereign state, Mr Casley declared himself prince of the micro-nation until abdicating in favour of his son, Graeme in 2017. But Prince Graeme and other family members have been left with a limited legacy thanks to Prince Leonard’s battles with the ATO over the unpaid tax bills. Landgate records show the tax office lodged a sweeping caveat over the land in May 2019, three months after Prince Leonard’s death. The caveats claims the ATO is entitled to pull out $2.77m, plus interest, clocking up since June 2016. The caveat claim cites a series of WA Supreme Court and Court of Appeal decisions against Prince Leonard over his Australian tax status. In a June 2017 decision, Justice Rene Le Miere blasted the concept of Hutt River being Australia’s oldest micro-nation. Upholding the $2.77m-plus debt ruling against Prince Leonard, Justice Le Miere said anyone could declare themselves a sovereign in their own home but “they cannot ignore the laws of Australia or not pay tax”. With tourism supplementing the farm business, Hutt River Province was forced to shut its borders when COVID-19 restricted visitors. Tropical cyclone Seroja in April decimated buildings at the heart of the property, including its church, museum, post office and accommodation facilities. For decades, tourists from around the globe visited the micro-nation, getting their passports stamped and purchasing the local currency, called the Hutt River Dollar. Northampton shire president Craig Simpkin said Hutt River had brought many tourists to the region in the past and was a big drawcard and benefit to the area. Prince Graeme, now based in Perth, plans to keep the Principality Hutt River website for posterity, last updating it earlier this month. The property was listed for sale by Kris Teakle of Elders, who declined to comment because of confidentiality clauses. Prince Graeme also declined to comment.