Since the launch of the Tribal Lore Enforcement Program in Enngonia and Bourke early this month – an Indigenous-law based alternative to NSW Police enforcement – the Murrawarri People’s Council has condemned the new program and declared it has not given its endorsement. 

In early November, the Tribal Lore Enforcement was established in Western NSW with the arrival of a new car and designated ‘lore enforcement officers’ to enforce tribal law. 

The initiative – promoted largely by Murrawarri and Budjiti man and First Nations Activist Bruce Shillingsworth and son Bruce Shillingsworth Jnr – was a response to what the Shillingsworths deemed an abuse of authority from police during the Covid-19 response, that eventually led to the #ProtectEnngonia movement.

This week, Chairperson of the Murrawarri People’s Council Fred Hooper released a statement claiming that the Council and Murrawarri Elders did not approve of the idea, which takes place on Murrawarri land.

“These actions are the actions of a single family who are working with non Murrawarri people, has not asked for endorsement for this program from the Peoples Council or Murrawarri Elders and we see the activities as in contravention of the Murrawarri Nations Constitution and the Murrawarri Universal Declaration of Independence of 2013,” Mr Hooper said. 

Despite the Tribal Lore Enforcement claiming to be based in traditional Murrawarri customary law, Mr Hooper said that the activities weren’t in line with their any customs or contemporary law.

In response, a statement was released from the Tribal Lore Enforcement team, claiming that they had tried to contact the Council numerous times without response. They argued that while they are a part of the Murrawarri Republic, the initiative was one of the Kungkakuri clan. 

The Murrawarri Republic is a micronation within Australia, after successfully declaring its Independence in Australia in 2013. The People’s Council was established and acted as governance ever since.

Mr Hooper said that enforcing tribal law isn’t in the best interest of the Republic, nor a productive way to build connections with non-Murrawarri people or the national and state government. 

“It’s not about enforcing our tribal law on anybody. It’s about working with people who work through processes assisting us with self-determination. Under our declaration of Independence, we still consider non-Murrawarri people living in our country as citizens, and they have rights and interests within our country as well,” Mr Hooper said. 

According to Mr Hooper, the Murrawarri People’s Council was consistently checking in with the Local Aboriginal Land Council in Enngonia during the Covid-19 outbreak that overwhelmed the community, especially following news of unfair treatment and residents being intimidated by authorities.

Through contact with the Land Council, he was advised that everything was in order. 

When questioned if he would support a similar approach had the People’s Council been consulted, where an alternative to NSW Police was established, Mr Hooper said that the Murrawarri Constitution wouldn’t support the imposition. 

“We live in a contemporary society that has to follow international standards and laws. If we do anything, we will ensure that it is in line with international law and human rights,” Mr Hooper said. 

The People’s Council have since been in contact with Bruce Shillingsworth, who actively attends protests and rallies in Sydney where he represents himself as a Murrawarri Elder. Locals have alleged that one of the rallies he attended had ties to white supremacy groups, although this cannot be confirmed. 

“I’m not accusing anybody of doing anything wrong, but we don’t want to be associated with white supremacists and it worries us when they have their names up as a Murrawarri Elder. We don’t want to be associated with any far-right group or racist group,” he said.

A spokesperson from the Tribal Lore Enforcement Program responded in a statement, “We would like to confirm that Mr Bruce Shillingsworth Snr does not represent your council when addressing the public however, he acknowledges and recognises his cultural birth right as a Murrawarri/Budjiti Man.”

Mr Hooper has expressed the Murrawarri People’s Council desire for the Tribal Lore Enforcement to come to an end. 

“They can do what they want in other nations. The Murrawarri Elders have said to me quite clearly that they don’t support it operating within our nation,” Mr Hooper said. 

Prior to this, the Tribal Lore Enforcement was championed in headlines across the country as an innovative initiative. Looking closer, it may have only created rifts in the community.