A NATION IN OUR MIDST

Mudgee Guardian

LAWFUL SECESSION FROM THE BRITISH COLONY OF AUSTRALIA WAS SUCCESSFUL IN SEPTEMBER 2003

http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/news/local/news/general/a-nation-in-our-midst/1741254.aspx?

IT’S OFFICIAL: The Principality of Snake Hill has received official mail from the Queen.

BY DARREN SNYDER
03 Feb, 2010 10:47 AM

Somewhere within the Mudgee region lies another nation with its own flag, coat of arms, parliament, passports, casino and shopping centre.

The Principality of Snake Hill was founded in September 2003 after some then Australian residents decided to secede from the nation on the basis of an ill-fated land and income suit which was going to take away their every last dollar.

Approximately 900 metres above sea level and 1.6 square kilometres in size, the Principality has almost 200 citizens who are formally engaged from around Australia and the world, including a consulate in a suburb of Sydney.

According to Crown Princess Paula, daughter of Head of State Prince Paul and his wife Princess Helena, the nation achieves quite a bit for its size.

“We have acted as a negotiator between two major countries for an oil treaty,” she said.
“We have also been offered nuclear arms by two nations but of course we were never going to accept them.”

The Princess also said the micronation had conducted trade in the past and was looking to expand in the future.

“The Principality is also looking to start exporting wine and honey,” she said.
Operating for just over six years, Snake Hill has had dealings with the United Nations and World Trade Organisation with the Princess also suggesting they are applying for recognition in the sporting world.

“We have a soccer team and have submitted applications to organisations such as the IOC (International Olympic Committee),” she said.

The Principality has certainly not sold themselves short in their Cabinet, with their United States Ambassador and Trade Commissioner being Lee E. Wanta – a man credited with helping bring down the old Soviet Union in 1990.

Whilst the Principality’s constitution is based on the ten commandments, the greater actions are to be dealt with by International Law.

There are also International Laws which outline the criteria to declare a nation’s statehood under the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States.

The Convention states there must be a permanent population, a defined territory, government and capacity to enter into relations with other states.

“We have pretty much read every International Law textbook ever published,” Princess Paula said.

The Princess also added the choices her family had at the end of the property and income suit.

“The suit case ended with us having two choices, becoming destitute and appealing to the same system we were dudded by or seceding from Australia and keeping what we had,” she said.

The Princess said the principality did not paying Mid-Western Regional Council rates and said when she had contacted the Council there had been confusion because it was the first time they had dealt with a seceded principality.

At time of printing, the Council had not returned the Mudgee Guardian’s calls.

For further information, check the Principality of Snake Hill website: snakehillprincipality.webs.com