$1 fine for activist breaking biosecurity law, is a joke not justice

ANIMAL activist fined for breaking biosecurity laws — only to be slapped in the face by the reality of a mediocre penalty, to say the least, it’s observed in this EDITORIAL.

Hit squad: A group of 70 activists stormed the goat farm and tourist cafe last December, allegedly stealing three goats and a lamb and loading them into the back of cars.

FINALLY we have seen an animal activist fined for breaking biosecurity laws that our farmers work so hard to abide — only to be slapped in the face by the reality of a mediocre penalty, to say the least.

Latrobe Valley Magistrate court last week handed down two $1 fines to an activist who was found guilty of removing an identifying ear tag from a goat she stole and not having a Property Identification Code for her home that housed numerous farm animals — in nappies.

EXCLUSIVE: ACTIVIST FINED $1 FOR BREAKING LAW

Not only does it send a message to activists that breaking biosecurity law is no big deal, it also wastes taxpayers money in bringing the case to court and wastes valuable police resources and time.

What country cop is going to prioritise investigating a farm invasion by activists if they know their work is going to be put down to the worth of a single dollar coin — even when the accused pleads guilty?

The maximum penalty for each of these offences is $9671.40.

If committing the offence results in a $1 fine, what does someone have to do to get the maximum penalty?

NEW VIC BIOSECURITY LAWS UNLIKELY

Penalties introduced in NSW in 2017 now see individuals fined up to $220,000 for creating a biosecurity risk.

And while Victorian farmers encourage each other to stand up and let their MPs know they want more done, both the Victorian Government and Opposition say our current legislation is enough.

Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes, who has reserved her opinion on activists’ activities, needs to back farmers.

We need to make an example — not a joke — of these crimes.

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