Secession

Silverback file:

In 1970, a West Australian wheat farmer was embroiled in a protracted legal battle with the government over the issue of wheat quotas. He became so exasperated that he formally seceded from the Commonwealth!

This established the Principality of Hutt River and he became Prince Leonard of Hutt River.

After a few years of not paying tax, a compromise arrangement was entered into with the tax office. The tax from the early years remains the subject of legal dispute.

Fifty years later you can still get a visa to go there and get your passport stamped. He has died now. We dropped in and met his son Prince Graham. They still have their own stamps and you can send postcards back to Australia! It’s become a side business for the farm. The Sparrow and I got our passports stamped.

Enzo is now officially an international travel dog.