Trespass fines ‘overdue’

A new anti-trespassing law has been praised by farmers, with penalties for failing to comply set to be among Australia’s heaviest.

The Victorian Government introduced the Livestock Management Amendment (Animal Activism) Bill 2021 to Parliament on 1 December, aiming to protect farmers from trespass “in the name of animal activism”.

Trespassers put farms at risk of disease and other biosecurity risks, but under the new bill, they will face on-the-spot fines of $1,272 for an individual, or $8,178 for an organisation.

More serious offending could see penalties of up to $10,904 for individuals, and up to $54,522 for an organisation.

Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) President, Emma Germano, said the on-the-spot fines for trespassers on farms were “very overdue, but will be very welcome”.

“It’s time animal activists faced proper penalties for trespassing on people’s farms and homes. We hope this will see the end of token $1 fines for farm invasions that we have seen in the past,” Ms Germano said.

“We believe that this is in line with community expectations, trespass is not an appropriate form of protest.”

Victorian farmers will also be able to implement biosecurity management plans (BMPs), which can include a requirement for consent from farmers before entering the property.

Minister for Agriculture, Mary-Anne Thomas, said the measures would help protect the livelihoods that farmers had earned through hard work.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2021-12-14/13

in the 14 December 2021 edition
OR
pick up a paper around your town.