Animal activist website a threat to farmers’ safety

State Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish MP has called for greater protections for local farmers after animal activists published their personal details on the internet.

“The potential for overzealous activists to trespass on a property and cause physical damage, or worse, be involved in an assault is very high. That’s why the Victorian Government must take immediate action to protect farmers and their livelihoods,” Ms McLeish said.

Ms McLeish’s calls come after activist group Aussie Farms published a map listing farm addresses and encouraging activists to take video footage and photographs to document alleged animal cruelty.

Speaking in the Victorian Parliament, Ms McLeish slammed Daniel Andrews for not condemning the website and the animal activist group behind it.

“Not only is entering a farm uninvited against the law, it’s also a significant biosecurity risk and could put a family’s business at risk.”

“The Government must send a strong message to would be trespassers that they will face the full brunt of the law if they stupidly enter farms with the intention of harming a legitimate business,” Ms McLeish said.

Ms McLeish also called on the Victorian Government to write to the Charities Commission asking it to consider revoking Aussie Farms’ charity status.

“Any organisation that operates with a blatant disregard for privacy and safety does not deserve the privileges that are afforded to a registered charity.”

“I understand the Federal Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud has written to the Charities Commission asking for Aussie Farms to be delisted as a charity. The Victorian Government should show support for our farmers by doing the same,” Ms McLeish concluded.