• Advertise
  • About us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us
Monday, July 14, 2025
Australian Times News
  • News
    • Weather
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Business & Finance
      • Currency Zone
    • Lotto Results
      • The Lott
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Wellness
    • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Expat Life
  • Move to Australia
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Weather
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Business & Finance
      • Currency Zone
    • Lotto Results
      • The Lott
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Wellness
    • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Expat Life
  • Move to Australia
No Result
View All Result
Australian Times News
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Pandemic kills off the once-proud nation of Hutt River

The self-proclaimed Principality of Hutt River in outback WA is back in the Australian fold as lack of tourists hits its economy.

Mike Simpson by Mike Simpson
06-08-2020 03:00
in News
Prince Leonard, left, abdicates the Hutt River throne to be succeeded by his son Graeme Casley. Photo credit: Hutt River

Prince Leonard, left, abdicates the Hutt River throne to be succeeded by his son Graeme Casley. Photo credit: Hutt River

There is, it seems, no limit to the damage being done by the coronavirus. The latest is the sad news that an entire independent nation of 50 years standing has been killed off by the ravages of the pandemic.

The Principality of Hutt River, one of the world’s proud micro-nations, has decided that it can no longer survive economically and will reintegrate itself with Australia.

Diplomatic ties with Liberland and others

The fact that Hutt River has never been recognised as a nation by Australia, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund or, indeed, any other country you’ve ever heard of, is neither here nor there.   

It has, however, enjoyed fruitful diplomatic relations with the likes of Liberland, Akhzivland, Conch Republic, Forvik and others.

All of which were undoubtedly shocked by the announcement this week that Prince Graeme Casley had decided to dissolve the Principality.

Hutt River flag. Photo credit: Wikipedia

Hutt River located 500km north of Perth

In case you weren’t paying attention during geography and history lessons, Hutt River is located in outback Western Australia just over 500km north of Perth. It covers an area roughly the size of Hong Kong and has a population of 27.

It seceded from Australia in April 1970 over a dispute with the state government over wheat production quotas and proclaimed its independence.

Part of the legal reasoning put forward by the self-proclaimed Prince Leonard Casley for the breakaway was that Captain Stirling, later Governor Sterling, actually never proclaimed Western Australia as British Territory in 1829, as he was required to do. Instead, he merely proclaimed it the Swan Settlement.

Given that Hutt River was never British Proclaimed Territory, it was also never part of the Commonwealth of Australia and therefore free to go its own way. Or something like that.

AlsoRead...

The Broker who says ‘Yes’ when Banks say NO

The Broker who says ‘Yes’ when Banks say NO

8 July 2025
Leading with Trust: Why Quality still wins in the AI Era

Leading with Trust: Why Quality still wins in the AI Era

5 June 2025

Principality survived as a tourist attraction

Since 1970, the micro-nation led by the late Prince Leonard Casley has survived mainly as an idiosyncratic tourist attraction that printed its own currency, stamped the passports of visitors, sold its own ‘passports’ and postage stamps, and provided various other memorabilia.

But, as with much of the world, the principality was forced to close its borders due to the pandemic in January and revenue has dried up due to the dearth of visitors.

Graeme Casley, the son of Leonard who succeeded to the ‘throne’ in 2017, confirmed to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the property would be sold to pay a mounting debt to the Australian Tax Office.

The tax authorities, it seems, have for some reason declined to recognise Hutt River’s status as in independent nation free of taxation obligations.

Tags: Conch RepublicHutt RiverLiberlandMicro-nationsWestern Australia
DMCA.com Protection Status

SUBSCRIBE to our NEWSLETTER

[mc4wp_form id=”2384248″]

Don't Miss

The Dating Wealth Gap Is Getting Wider: What You Should Know

by Fazila Olla-Logday
11 July 2025
Source: Pixabay
Lifestyle

The divide between wealth and romance is growing. As income inequality widens, financial status is playing a bigger role in...

Read more

The Broker who says ‘Yes’ when Banks say NO

by Pauline Torongo
8 July 2025
The Broker who says ‘Yes’ when Banks say NO
Business & Finance

When faced with constant loan rejection or last-minute withdrawals of support, Trelos Finance stands out as a solution.

Read more

Common Mistakes When Buying a Telescope — And How to Avoid Them

by Fazila Olla-Logday
1 July 2025
Common Mistakes When Buying a Telescope
Technology

You’ve spent hours scrolling through telescope specs online, dazzled by features and grand promises. The excitement builds—until your newly arrived...

Read more

From Portugal to Bali: Where Aussies Should Go for Your Next Coastal Holiday

by Fazila Olla-Logday
20 June 2025
Source: Flickr
Travel

Aussies, here is a guide to where you should go for your next coastal holiday.

Read more

Leading with Trust: Why Quality still wins in the AI Era

by Pauline Torongo
5 June 2025
Leading with Trust: Why Quality still wins in the AI Era
Business & Finance

If you're leading a software team today, you've likely noticed the shift: faster feature rollouts, routine automation, and AI taking...

Read more

How to Save on Airport Parking: Budget Tips Every Traveller Should Know

by Fazila Olla-Logday
3 June 2025
How to Save on Airport Parking
Travel

Saving money on airport parking can be a challenge,but here are some budget friendly tips to help you navigate.

Read more

Why Australian Investors are Betting on the Aviation Maverick Louis Belanger-Martin

by Pauline Torongo
28 May 2025
Why Australian Investors are Betting on the Aviation Maverick Louis Belanger-Martin
Business & Finance

Bélanger-Martin’s ambitions stretch beyond redefining inflight comfort—they’re rooted in resurrecting the romance of supersonic travel with a modern twist.

Read more
Load More

Copyright © Blue Sky Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
australiantimes.co.uk is a division of Blue Sky Publications Ltd. Reproduction without permission prohibited. DMCA.com Protection Status

  • About us
  • Write for Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • T&Cs, Privacy and GDPR
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Weather
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Business & Finance
      • Currency Zone
    • Lotto Results
      • The Lott
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Wellness
    • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Expat Life
  • Move to Australia

Copyright © Blue Sky Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
australiantimes.co.uk is a division of Blue Sky Publications Ltd. Reproduction without permission prohibited. DMCA.com Protection Status