CONSUMER AFFAIRS:

The Bug’s finance and investment columnist Morrie Bezzle has appeared in court charged with a range of offences under consumer protection laws as well as federal laws designed to prevent sex trafficking.

Morrison Edison Ponzi Phar Lap Bezzle, age and address unknown, pleaded not guilty to the charges during a brief appearance this morning in the Brisbane Magistrates Court.

Queensland Police prosecutor Sergeant Lewis Terry outlined a lengthy list of charges against Bezzle who was alleged to have advertised online selling so-called “exclusive” but overpriced return tickets to Bali.

“The advertisements alluded to the new criminal code recently passed by the Indonesian Parliament outlawing sex between any couples who are not legally married and which will be phased in over the next three years,” Sgt Terry told the court.

He presented examples of the advertisements which included assertions by Bezzle that the new Indonesian law would “ban the great Aussie tradition of rooting in Bali” and that “time is running out for a root in Bali”.

One advertisement alleged that “Bali is going out with a bang, and so should you” while another displayed a map showing Bali in relation to Australia with a “cancelled” return flight path labelled as a “root route”. (main picture)

All advertisements urged consumers to buy a return ticket to Bali from Bezzle at an unjustifiable premium price as soon as possible.

Sgt Terry said Queensland Police had been contacted by both the Australian Federal Police and the Department of Foreign Affairs who were both extremely concerned about one of Bezzle’s advertisements that claimed “Indonesia is declaring war on Aussie rooters”.

“Federal authorities have grave fears for the impact this advertisement may have on Australia-Indonesia relations,” he said.

Outside court after being released on bail, Bezzle (below) told reporters that he would be “vigorously defending” what he described was his “ongoing persecution” by federal and state consumer protection agencies.

“This heavy-handed police action is an affront to the rights of every Aussie – male or female or other – who wants to head to Bali for a week, or a fortnight, or a month of casual rooting,” he said.

“If this sham prosecution succeeds, rest assured I’ll be heading to the High Court and if necessary to the International Court of Justice or the United Nations to have it overturned and to protect the root rights of every Australian and my rights as a struggling visionary entrepreneur who is just trying to make an honest living.”