Actually living in a remote area- alone or among a commune- very much IS the only way to claim you affect nobody but yourself.

Living among another community, for example, even by locking yourself in your house and living off rainwater, solar panels and mushrooms (any less would create an impact on others) you are still affecting others. The state of your property affects others, including house prices, hygiene, and the environment others are expected to live within. By neglecting your lawn you create a haven for rats and snakes- by mowing it you are subjecting others to your noise and grass fumes.

And keep in mind, living in the remote mountains makes it a lot harder for tax collectors to actually be able to reach your property- let alone post a letter.

As it is, without laws (and more specifically, democratic rule by the public), people in a position to gain at others expense would have absolutely no basis to cease their activities simply because the people they are affecting had asked them to.

Well Ruth, I think we have our answer to your question "Is this the start of Australia's own (billy) tea movement?"

I think it was aptly characterised as the Convoy Of No Consequence in the parliament yesterday. So I guess that would be a No.

And as for it not being aligned with any one political party, Mick Pattel relenquished his endorsement as the LNP candidate for Mt Isa to become the chief rubber duck.

That he is still a member of the Liberal Party gives the government the right to label this as just another partisan stunt: Tony's Tonka Toys.