Aboriginal woman accused of trespassing hits back after request to have court case heard on 'culturally significant land' is rejected: 'Another day in the colony'

Published: 06:39, 20 April 2026 | Updated: 06:39, 20 April 2026 An Aboriginal woman who wanted a court to hear her trespassing case on 'culturally significant land' had her request rejected by a magistrate. Ruth Langford fronted a Hobart court on Monday where she requested her charges relating to anti-forestry protests in 2025 be heard 'on Country'. Langford had applied for evidence to be heard at Risdon Cove, the site of a massacre of Aboriginal people by British colonists in 1804.  She is expected to face a July hearing on a trespass charge over a protest at Snow Hill in January 2025. The self-represented accused has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Further charges alleging Langford trespassed and failed to comply with an authorised officer over a protest in southern Tasmania in April 2025 were dropped by the prosecution on Monday. The 'Aboriginal activist' berated the 'colonial' court after Magistrate Catherine Geason knocked back Langford's request, saying the case can be 'fairly determined without doing so'. Langford, a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung woman, argued hearing evidence on Country in Hobart would help the court better understand Aboriginal peoples' connection to the land and why she was 'defending Country'. Accused trespasser Ruth Langford fronted a Hobart court on Monday where she requested her charges relating to anti-forestry protests in 2025 be heard 'on Country' Langford is expected to face a July hearing into a trespass charge over a protest at Snow Hill in January 2025 However, Magistrate Geason refused the application, saying Langford's defence case would not be prejudiced by not going on Country. 'The case can be fairly determined without the court going on Country,' she said. Magistrate Geason noted courts have the ability to sit in regional places and evidence had been heard on Country in other jurisdictions as part of native title claims.  Magistrate Geason said she 'understood and respected Aboriginal peoples' connection to Country'.  Langford told the court she needed to ask witnesses whether they would be prepared to attend the 'colonial court' and give evidence. Speaking outside court, Langford called the decision a 'missed opportunity' and said there 'weren't enough details provided about the reasons for the denial'. 'Leadership could have been shown. We are asking that our identity and cultural knowledge be best and most reliably heard,' Langford said. If Langford's application had been granted, it is understood it would have been the first time in Tasmania's legal history that evidence would be heard on culturally significant land. Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaigner Nala Mansell (left) said 'the case was proof the island state's heritage laws were failing Aboriginal people' 'It's another day in the colony, this is not new. But it is 2026,' Langford said. 'We've had the reports, the speeches in parliament, now we need people to act. This is a heartache because once again it is a clear denial of identity.' Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaigner Nala Mansell said 'the case was proof the island state's heritage laws were failing Aboriginal people'. 'As a result we see Aboriginal people such as Ruth having to... be charged criminally to fight to protect Aboriginal heritage simply because the legal and political system have failed,' Ms Mansell said. Prosecutor Deanne Earley previously told the court she had no objection to Langford's application. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.