MCARTHUR SPEAKS UP FOR RURAL VICTORIA
Member for Western Victoria Region, Bev McArthur yesterday expressed disappointment after Labor MPs blocked a crossbench Bill designed to support farmers in Victoria.
The Bill introduced to Parliament sought to:
prohibit audio of visual recordings of people or animals involved in animal enterprises without the landowner’s permission
prohibit the use of drones to obtain footage of animal agricultural businesses without the landowner’s permission
increase penalties for trespassing on the premises of animal agriculture enterprises
Speaking in parliament, Mrs McArthur emphasised farmers’ care for their animals, their right to operate lawful business free from the fear of intimidation, and the difficulty they face getting assistance from overstretched local police, and justice from our court system.
Bev McArthur said “It should be noted that the vast majority of farmers love their animals and do their very best to make exceptional welfare provision for those animals. After all, they are running a commercial business by and large, and if they do not look after their animals properly, they do not have a business, they do not earn an income to feed their own family.”
Bev McArthur said “Farmers are operating a lawful business and have the right to conduct their business free of trespass, invasion, theft and intimidation.”
She added: “For many people in the country it is very difficult if a farm invasion occurs to get law enforcement officers on hand quickly. The tyranny of distance means that they are often an hour away from any sort of enforcement services, especially if it is in the middle of the night…”
The Bill was defeated in the upper house by 26-13, with only opposition MPs, the Bill’s proposer Jeff Bourman, and independent member Catherine Cumming voting in favour.
Speaking after the vote, Bev McArthur said: “This was an extremely disappointing result. Yet again the Labor party have demonstrated they don’t understand rural Victoria. This was an opportunity missed to support our farmers, and to send a clear indication to animal rights’ extremists that they are not above the law.”
“I was pleased to support the Bill’s measures to prevent protestors invading properties, and taking it upon themselves to film whatever they feel like. I also particularly advocated the ban on drones being flown above these properties without restriction, which is not just dangerous but an indefensible invasion of privacy.”
“The creation of an offence of aggravated trespass, and of minimum sentences was also important – for too long the law and some elements of our judiciary have sent the message to protestors that they can get away with anything.”
17 October 2019