Delays leave local farmers exposed to illegal trespass

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Laws to impose on-the-spot fines to better protect Lowan farmers against farm trespass still haven’t been drafted, six months after the Andrews Labor Government finally agreed to the change. A parliamentary inquiry recommended on-the-spot fines be implemented as a solution to stop extreme animal activists breaking into farms, stealing livestock and damaging biosecurity. But more…

Kealy calls out minister on “preposterous” dingo plan

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The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has spoken in Parliament to call on the Minister for Environment to categorically rule out plans to reintroduce dingoes to the Grampians National Park. Ms Kealy said local landholders, tourism operators and visitors to the Grampians National Park were recently understandably shocked to learn that Parks Victoria was…

Farmers’ rights ignored as riverfront camping bill passes

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Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy is extremely disappointed legislation that will allow people to camp on river frontage leased by farmers without gaining permission has passed Parliament. Ms Kealy said that in the Upper House of the Victorian Parliament last week, Labor and crossbenchers voted to allow unrestricted camping access to thousands of kilometres…

Stepping up to support our border communities

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Member for Lowan Emma Kealy is calling for local residents and businesses to explore ways they can support cross-border residents grappling with a harsh and sudden increase in South Australia’s border restrictions. South Australia will revoke all cross-border travel permits from Friday, and only residents with properties that straddle the border, and year 11 and…

Agri-business centre redevelopment for Longerenong

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The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has said that after years of advocating it was fantastic that finally the Longerenong College agri-business centre will be upgraded to give the next generation of farmers the learning environment and facilities they deserve. “I have repeatedly called on the Andrews Labor Government to fund redevelopment of the…

On the spot fines for farm trespass

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Victorian famers have today had a small win in the fight against animal activism and illegal farm trespass. The introduction of on-the-spot fines will be the first step to fix Victoria’s broken farm trespass laws.  These commitments come in response to the final report of the Inquiry into the Impact of Animal Rights Activism on…

Agriculture trespass inquiry leaves farmers high and dry

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The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy is furious Labor has ignored farmers seeking protection from illegal animal rights activity. The final report in the Inquiry into the impact of animal rights activism on Victorian agriculture was released last week. The Liberal Nationals moved to establish the inquiry after calls from farmers and communities for…

Rethink needed on halt to kangaroo harvesting program

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The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy has spoken in Parliament, calling on the Andrews Labor Government to reverse its decision to halt the Kangaroo Harvesting Program in western Victoria. “While I agree the program should be halted in areas devasted by bushfire to protect our wildlife, kangaroos remain in plague proportions in our part…

Labor guts kangaroo pet food program

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Kangaroos controlled under an Authority to Control Wildlife permit can no longer be processed for pet food under the Andrews Labor Government’s new Kangaroo Harvesting Program. The Kangaroo Harvesting Program replaces the Kangaroo Pet Food Trial, which has run for the past five years The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy said the decision was…