Siding with those who produce our food

Tough new penalties which can jail those who incite farm invasion and harassment are a step closer, with the passage of the Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019 through the House.

Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Nationals, Michael McCormack, and Deputy Leader of the Nationals and Minister for Agriculture, Bridget McKenzie today welcomed the Bill's progress, and called on the 46th Parliament to side with farmers.

"The people who produce the food that feeds us have a right to feel safe in their businesses and their homes without the threat of activists' invasions," Minister McCormack said.

"This is a serious issue in the regions, with farmers driven from their businesses out of fear.

"We need to protect our farmers, fishers and foresters, their families and their workers from the real and present threat of activists invading in masses, damaging property and stealing animals.

"The Parliament needs to stand with farmers and make a statement that this behaviour is unAustralian, with serious repercussions that can deter repeated attacks."

Minister McKenzie said the Bill criminalises the action of publishing material, via a carriage service, with the intention to incite farm trespass, damage and destruction.

"When you trespass, steal and harass you're not a protestor, you're not committing 'civil disobedience' like the Greens say, you're a criminal and deserve to be punished with the full force of the law," Minister McKenzie said.

"There are state and territory laws that deal with trespass-and they remain-but our laws are in addition to these and target those who incite these sophisticated and coordinated attacks on farms.

"Our tough new penalties and sending a clear message to these keyboard warriors: if you use a carriage service to incite trespass against our family farmers, you will be risking serious jail time.

"Only this Government values our farmers, and is willing to do all we can to protect them."