THE Australian Government has backed Aussie farmers with a new bill introduced to parliament late last week.
The Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019 was introduced on Thursday with new offences for the incitement of trespass, property damage or theft on agricultural land.
The proposed bill – which will be put to discussion later this year – foreshadows fines nationwide more than $12,000 with up to five years imprisonment for the crimes.
With peak dairy farmer group Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) backing the bill, South Australian Dairyfarmers Association president John Hunt is also supporting the changes.
Mr Hunt said he understands the intimidation felt by those in the industry all too well, but remains strong in the face of harassment.
“It is really scary for any farmer to think someone might break onto their property and cause damage or steal stock,” he said.
“These properties are not just where we work, they are our homes – I am sure these activists would not like it if we walked into their homes unannounced.
“It is not like we have anything to hide, because we do not – and if someone were to ask to come onto my property and see what happens, I would welcome them no problem.
“The fact is, they do not even try to see our side of the story – they do not care how we actually treat our animals, all they want is to cause an issue.”
ADF president Terry Richardson echoed Mr Hunt’s sentiments, blasting the tactics of animal rights groups as a “disgraceful act of intimidation” after nationwide protests by activists earlier this year fuelled fear among Australia’s farming community.
As a primary producer in the region, Penola’s Rick Paltridge has also thrown his weight behind the bill.
Although he supports free speech and expression, Mr Paltridge does not believe this should come at the expense of a farmer’s rights.
“This is not a majority belief by a considerable margin but I wish them well so long as they abide by common law and practices which we expect all citizens to adhere to,” he said.
“They have to remember livestock is our primary source of income – we would be nuts to treat animals unfairly or in a position which we would not tolerate.
“Farmers would be mortified to see their animals treated poorly in anyway.”
Mr Paltridge said activists who believe they are helping animals by stealing them from agricultural land are doing just the opposite.
“They are doing more harm then good – it comes down to biosecurity and biohazards,” he said.
“Australia is extremely vulnerable to pests and biohazards and we have to protect our own industries from these.
“If we were to have a breakout of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) markets would close down and millions of livestock would die prematurely.
“This is just one possible outcome of biosecurity being tampered with.”
Mr Paltridge said he was disappointed the law would have to change to control this, but he believes it is an unfortunate necessity.
“We all have issues which we are strongly opinionated on,” he said.
“I may not agree with them but if they abide the laws then I respect them for that.
“But if they go outside those boundaries then unfortunately legislation must be tightened.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin backed the bill, stating he was proud to support the country’s farmers.
“As the first to raise the issue of anti-farm activism in the Coalition Party room it is great to see this legislation introduced in the Parliament in the very first sitting week after the election,” he said.
“The legislation gives our primary producers confidence that our Government is committed to protecting our farmers and their families from criminal incursions on their property.
“Importantly this legalisation also protects those operating aquaculture and forest businesses on private land.
“The significant penalties, up to five years imprisonment, will operate as an effective deterrent to anyone thinking of interfering with our very important agribusinesses.”
