Activist map: Aussie Farms forced to comply with Privacy Act

CONTROVERSIAL animal activist group Aussie Farms will now need to comply with the Privacy Act, from which it used to be exempt.

Controversial: Animal activist group Aussie Farms uses this map to track farms.

CONTROVERSIAL animal activist group Aussie Farms will now need to comply with the Privacy Act, from which it used to be exempt.

The Federal Government move means the registered charity will now face up to $420,000 in penalties if it breaches the act.

“The fact Aussie Farms refused to take the website down when invasions began happening on farms displayed on their map shows they intend for it to be used as an attack map for activists,” Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said.

“Aussie Farms will now be required to comply with the Privacy Act, which includes laws against the misuse of personal information. I note the maximum penalty for an offence under the Privacy Act is $420,000.”

Its volunteer registration form was altered after politicians and peak farming bodies called for the charity to be investigated and its status revoked.

Up until this point Aussie Farms was exempt from the Act because its annual turnover was less than $3 million.

It will now need to comply regardless of its turnover.

The move allows the information and privacy commissioner to investigate, either in response to a complaint or on her own initiative, if Aussie Farms breaches the Privacy Act.

It will come into force tomorrow.