Principality of Hutt River
The Principality of the Hutt River Province is an independent sovereign state located in Western Australia. It was founded on 21 April 1970 by farmer Leonard George Casley (now Prince Leonard of Hutt) when he and his associates formally seceded from Western Australia.
History
In response to a long-running dispute with the government of Western Australia over draconian wheat quotas, Casley and his associates resorted to an arcane provision in British Common Law allowing them to secede and declare their independence from the Commonwealth of Australia. Despite severing ties with Australia itself, Casley remained loyal to Queen Elizabeth II. Casley was elected administrator of the new sovereign state and styled himself His Royal Highness Prince Leonard of Hutt.
In effect, Casley's farm had become an independent country within the borders of Australia.
The Australian Government, however, does not officially acknowledge the existence of the rebel state, and to all appearances, treats it as a blind spot. On any map of the region, for example, the presence of the Hutt River Province can be inferred by its rigidly delineated absence.
Statistics
The micro-state Principality of the Hutt River Province is situated 595 km north of Perth, and is about 75 square km in size. Exports include wildflowers, agricultural produce, stamps and coins, while tourism is also important to its economy.
Although actual residents are very few, the principality claims a world-wide citizenship of 13,000.
It has no standing army, but a number of its citizens have been awarded military commissions, honorary guardsmen attend the Prince on formal occasions, and despite being completely landlocked, it apparently posseses a navy.
It is governed by its founder Prince Leonard and his family, including his wife Princess Shirley and son and heir Crown Prince Ian.
Considered a joke by some and by others a fine example of thumbing one's nose at the authorities, the continued existence of the Hutt River Province is at the least an intriguing footnote in any chapter on the history of Australia's agricultural policies, as well as in international legal considerations of what constitutes a state.
On April 21st 2000, the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Principality of the Hutt River Province was celebrated.