Family Name:
Carmichael
Given Names:
Laurie
Gender:
Male
Birth-date:
1948
Death-date:
Unknown
Marital Status:
Unknown, probably single
Age/ Age Range:
20 years old
Location:
VIC, West Newport
Occupation:
Computer Engineer
Primary Motivation:
Draft Resister –Opposition to the Vietnam War
Reason for Court Appearance:
[1] Refused to register for National Service for July 1968 intake
[2 Refusal to attend medical examination and obey court summons
[3] Referred to court under Reg32A to determine whether he was a conscientious objector 8 October 1971
[4] Second referral to court under Reg.32A o determine whether he was a conscientious objector
Court Name and Location:
[1] City Court, Melbourne
[2] Unknown, Melbourne
[3] Unknown, Melbourne
[4] Unknown, Melbourne
Court Hearing Date:
[1] 25 November 1968
[2] 6 October 1969
[3] 8 October 1970
[4] 17 August 19721
Court Outcome:
[1] Convicted of being unregistered and fined $40, no costs.
[2] Convicted, fined $60 plus $35 costs and 7 days jail
[3] Matter struck out by the magistrate
[4] Added to register of conscientious objectors 17 August 1972.
Military Event:
National Service and Vietnam War 1964-1972
Further Information:
Laurie Carmichael was from West Newport in Victoria. He was 20 years old and was a Computer Engineer. He refused to register for the July 1968 intake under the NSA. He was convicted of being unregistered in the Melbourne City Court 25 November 1968.He was fined $40 with no costs. He refused to attend the mandatory medical examination in January 1969. He was summonsed to court, but he did not attend. A warrant was issued and Laurie was arrested on 26 September 1969 and convicted 6 October 1969. He was fined $60 plus $35 costs and jailed for 7 days. He was asked in an interview during November 1968 as to why he did not register and take the chance that his birthdate would not be selected, or if it was that he might fail the medical examination. His response was, “I would then recognise the validity of the Act by registering. I would concede the right of the government to call people up for service in Vietnam”. Laurie was not a pacifist to all war but opposed to Vietnam which he considered an unjust war. He also told the interviewer that he would not register for alternative service even if it was introduced. He also stated that “if Australian forces are withdrawn from Vietnam I shall reconsider registering depending on the conditions of the time” .His non-compliance continued when he refused to obey a call-up notice on 25 November 1969. The government now could issue a warrant and a conviction of 2 years jail. Laurie decided to ‘go underground’ to avoid arrest. During this time, he was addressing church groups. The government was reluctant to jail Laurie and many like him for political reasons. Under a new Regulation 32A, Minister Snedden could refer him to a court to decide whether he had conscientious beliefs and should be placed on the Register of Conscientious Objectors. He was the second referral the minister made on 8 October 1970.The other referral was Gary James Cook. Peter Faris representing Laurie submitted that as no application had been made by his client for a conscientious objector hearing that matter should proceed as a referral and the Crown should lead evidence. Magistrate RJ Kelly ruled this was so. Nettlefold who was legal counsel for the minister was not prepared to do so. A high farce ensured. Magistrate Kelly stated, All I can do is hear what people tell me. If they do not tell me anything I cannot do anything. I cannot register or refuse to register (a person as a conscientious objector). I order the matter be struck out”. The government unperturbed referred Laurie again under reg.32A. This time he was deemed to hold conscientious beliefs under the NSA. He was placed on the Register of Conscientious Objectors 17 August 1972 with full exemption from military duties.
Confirmatory Sources:
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 