The NFF has repeatedly called for governments to review, strengthen and harmonise trespass laws and procedures for enforcement. It has been highly encouraging to see several state governments, and the Commonwealth, recently moving to introduce new offences and increased penalties for trespass and related behaviour, including penalties that recognise the biosecurity risk created by unauthorised access to farms.
There must be real consequences for these actions, to reflect the seriousness of the crime and provide a genuine deterrent. The Right to Farm Bill 2019, which extends and increases the penalties for aggravated trespass and creates a new offence for inciting such behaviour, is an important development for the safety of Australian farms and farmers.
Akshata Giri
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