Inquiry into the Impact of Animal Rights Activism on Victorian Agriculture

Unlawful activity by activists creates serious risks to on-farm biosecurity, the health and welfare of livestock, and the feeling of safety of families and staff living and working on affected properties. Governments, police prosecutors and the judiciary must respond in a manner that discourages further illegal actions, but in many cases police have chosen not to make arrests, and when they do punishments ordered by the courts have been inadequate; failing to recognise the seriousness of the crimes and to provide a deterrent.