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Agriculture | March 21, 2022

Kealy continues call for tougher penalties for farm trespassers

The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy is calling on Independent MPs in Parliament’s Upper House to vote in favour of greater protection for our Victorian farmers through harsher on the spot fines.

Ms Kealy, together with her National Party colleagues, has continued to call for tougher penalties to be imposed against animal activists who trespass on the private homes of our farmers and their families.

The National Party has also called for new amendments to facilitate this greater protection, including doubling the maximum fine for individuals to $21,809 in line with New South Wales and closing the loophole that excludes a farmer from legal protection if they hold a licenced river frontage.

“Instead of standing up for our farmers, Labor has turned its back by devising penalties that are the lowest in the nation and handing animal activists a get out of jail free card,” Ms Kealy said.

“Not surprisingly, the amendments proposed by the Nationals’ were blocked in the lower house by Labor MP’s teaming up with the Greens and Independents.

“There is simply no justification for why the penalties in Victoria should be significantly less than other states or why river frontage land should be excluded.

“We must strengthen trespass laws to send a message to those who would go to any lengths to destroy the livelihood of hard-working Victorian farm families.

“If the parliament can’t back the farmers who provide our food and fibre and manage much of our landscape, then it’s not doing its job.”

“I am calling on Independent MPs in the Upper House to do the right thing and allow our farmers and their families to feel safe in their own homes.”