Minister calls on states to review trespass laws to protect farming families

MINISTER for Agriculture David Littleproud has called on state governments to review and beef up trespass laws following the Aussie Farms personal address scandal.

Preliminary advice is there is little the Federal Government can do about Animal welfare group Aussie Farms putting the personal addresses of thousands of farmers online – but state governments can adjust trespass and other criminal laws as they see fit.

“Farmers around Australia are concerned for themselves and their children,” Minister Littleproud said.

“No-one would like the address of their family home put up online for all to see, there are plenty of nutters out there and who knows what one of them will do.

“State Governments need to make sure trespass laws carry huge penalties, a big deterrent is required here.

“It’s not ok to go breaking into people’s businesses or homes.

“The risk of trespass and farm vandalism is higher since this website went up and state governments need to respond with laws that punish trespassers and vigilantes.

“Plenty of information on this website has already been proven wrong and it would only take one idiot to act on information from this website for a tragedy to occur.”