Wimmera political and farming figures welcome state government inquiry to be held into trespass laws

Nationals MP Melina Bath moved a motion in state parliament's upper house on Wednesday, calling for the Economy and Infrastructure Committee to conduct the inquiry and report back by Thursday November 28.

It follows concerns from Wimmera farmers about the strength of the laws, in the wake of a spate of on-farm activism in recent months.

In late November, about 55 activists from six states representing Bear Witness Australia and Aussie Farms entered Nhill's Luv-a-Duck's poultry processing plant, removed ducks from the business to allow them to swim, and also climbed onto a rooftop with banners.

The motion received bipartisan support, following amendments made by Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes.

She moved the inquiry consider the civil or criminal liability of people who promote or organise participation in unauthorised animal activism, the legal responses in other states and countries to similar incidents, and provide recommendations on how the government and industry could improve protections for farmers' privacy.

Victorian Farmers Federation President David Jochinke, of Murra Warra, thanked both sides of politics for their support of the inquiry.

He said he hoped greater penalties for trespassers ultimately resulted from it.

"It's also important the agriculture sector engage with consumers to build greater knowledge about food and fibre production, and the importance farmers place on animal health and welfare," he said.

"For those who choose not to consume animal products, they are fortunate in Australia to have an agricultural industry that provides them with choice. We encourage all consumers to exercise their choice and to support Victorian farmers whenever possible."

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Member for Lowan Emma Kealy welcomed the inquiry.

"I've heard from many farmers who are furious that people are getting away with breaking into farms and stealing livestock with just a slap on the wrist," she said.

Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick, who represents Western Victoria, was one of only five of the 38 MPs present who voted against the motion.

"This Nationals motion is not just about simple trespass but about systematically silencing those who expose hidden animal cruelty," he said during the debate.

"I was elected to the Parliament because of the rapidly growing demand to bring legislative change to prevent animal cruelty. I am sure everyone in this chamber has heard sheep being cooked alive on ships in the live export trade.

"Were it not for activists working undercover, the general public would not know about these things. Industries did not kindly decide to open their doors and show their processes to the public. They became public knowledge only because activists exposed them."

At a federal level, the National Party has vowed to introduce new legislation to make it an offence to use the internet to disclose personal information to incite trespass on agricultural land, if the government is re-elected on May 18.

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