Anti-fire ant eradication activist convicted after using legal arguments ‘similar to sovereign citizens’

Legal expert compares Trevor Hold’s failed defence to ‘tried and tested argument’ used by sovereign citizen movement Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The Queensland leader of a group opposing the eradication of fire ants in Australia has been convicted of obstructing government officers, after a magistrate threw out his argument that the commonwealth-funded program is illegal. Trevor Hold was fined $1,500 but a conviction was not recorded.

Hold has described himself as an “ultrapreneur”, a mental health counsellor, an organic cattle farmer and the chief executive officer of the anti-program group the Australian Advocacy Group – and as self-employed. ..