Work underway on Victoria’s on-the-spot biosecurity fines for activists

Work has begun on the Victorian Government’s promise to introduce on-the-spot fines for animal activists. But the Opposition and state’s peak farming body are not impressed.

Victorian Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has revealed some work has started on the process of introducing on-the-spot biosecurity fines. Picture: Chloe Smith

SOME action has been taken on the Victorian Government’s promise to introduce on-the-spot fines for animal activists who breach farm biosecurity.

But the Opposition and state’s peak farming group say it’s far from enough considering how quickly other states acted back in 2019.

Nationals MP Melina Bath asked Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas in Parliament a month ago about the progress of introducing the fines, which were recommended as part of the parliamentary inquiry into the impact of animal activism on Victorian agriculture.

The inquiry was set up in May 2019, after The Weekly Times revealed an activist was fined $1 for breaking biosecurity laws.

In a written response last week, Ms Thomas said work was underway on this recommendation.

The Weekly Times can reveal this work included analysis of legislative approaches taken by other jurisdictions, including the implementation of NSW’s approach, which was recommended by the inquiry committee, and consultation with other Victorian Government departments and agencies.

Ms Thomas said the new offence took time to get right, repeating what she said in January when it appeared action was yet to be taken.

“Introduction of relevant infringeable offences requires legislative changes through the Victorian Parliament,” she said.

“This work takes time to make sure we get the balance right and it meets the needs of industry.”

The Weekly Timesreported in January, while the on-the-spot fine offence was planned to be considered as part of a future review of Victoria’s biosecurity legislation, consideration was being given to changes that could be made to existing legislation in the shorter term.

Ms Thomas did not say whether a decision had been made on this when asked by The Weekly Times this week.

VFF president Emma Germano says the little action taken is not good enough. Picture: Aaron Francis

Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano said farmers had been forgotten when it came to feeling safe on their own property.

“It’s not good enough that after 12 months since the report was tabled, there’s little or no deterrence to stop it (farm invasions) from happening again,” she said.

“There’s a real double standard from the Victorian Government. They’ve been quick to quell the anti-vaxxers, but what about illegal farm invasions by animal activists?”

Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh is not impressed with the little action that has been taken on introducing on-the-spot fines for activists entering farms. Picture: Andy Rogers

Opposition agriculture spokesman Peter Walsh said the government was dragging the chain.

“While NSW was quick to introduce tough on-the-spot fines in August 2019, the Andrews Labor Government still finds every excuse under the sun to drag the chain,” he said.

“Farmers have long been the target of the illegal activity of extreme activists, yet the Agriculture Minister can’t – or won’t – act to better protect them and their family.”

The Victorian Government supported 13 recommendations from the inquiry and Ms Thomas said “several recommendations have progressed”.