Protecting local farmers from animal activists

The Coalition Government is standing up for the privacy of farmers and primary producers to protect them from green collared criminals.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt welcomed the introduction of the Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019 in Parliament yesterday.

“The legislation introduces new offences – of up to five years imprisonment – for the incitement of trespass, property damage or theft on agricultural land,” Mr Pitt said.

“What started as publishing the names and addresses of farmers online progressed to farms and businesses being invaded by animal rights activists, which in my view is just not on.

“These are hard-working Australians, going about their day running a farm or business, adhering to strict biosecurity measures and these activists just waltz onto their land and put it all at risk.

“Farmers should not be subjected to trespassing on their property or the invasion of their privacy. It’s the equivalent of having someone jump your back fence and steal your poodle as an exercise in animal freedom.

“In Australia, people can express their views or beliefs but it must be within the law.”

The Government has also called on the State and Territory Governments to increase penalties to deter animal rights activists from trespass.