{"id":242349,"date":"2019-08-22T23:29:24","date_gmt":"2019-08-22T13:29:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=242349"},"modified":"2020-07-18T13:13:32","modified_gmt":"2020-07-18T03:13:32","slug":"state-ramps-up-activist-penalties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/08\/22\/state-ramps-up-activist-penalties\/","title":{"rendered":"State Ramps Up Activist Penalties"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FLASHBACK: An animal activist map released on the internet earlier this year created uproar in the farming community<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Agricultural Industry Development Minister Mark Furner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

August 22, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Animal activists who conduct protests unfairly targeting Queensland producers could face longer jail terms and bigger fines under legislation introduced into State Parliament on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said the Agriculture and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019<\/i> was introduced to stop animal activists jeopardising the rights and livelihoods of law-abiding farmers.<\/p>\n

The new laws significantly escalate $652.75 on-the-spot fines introduced by the State Government in April.<\/p>\n

“Protesters could now face up to one year in jail for trespassing on farm land or be fined more than $60,000,” Mr Furner said.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“The Bill provides more effective protection for our hard-working agricultural industries following recent animal activist protests in south-eastern Queensland.”<\/p>\n

Mr Furner said protests over the past year included people invading farms and businesses, putting unfair pressure on farm owners, managers and staff.<\/p>\n

“Our farmers have a right to feel safe and protected from risks posed to themselves, their property and their livelihoods,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Our community needs to be confident that human safety, animal welfare, biosecurity and food safety are not being compromised.”<\/p>\n

Mr Furner said while the government supported the rights of Queenslanders to protest lawfully, those who unlawfully entered farming land with disregard for the consequences would be met with a strong response.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“The Bill includes a package of amendments to the Summary Offences Act 2005<\/i>, the Biosecurity Act 2014<\/i> and the Exhibited Animals Act 2015<\/i> to address unacceptable behaviour that poses risks to agricultural and related industries.<\/p>\n

“This includes penalties for those unlawfully entering a food production facility, a feedlot and a live export facility, as well as a showground or sporting ground used for animals.”<\/p>\n

Mr Furner said the amendments in the Bill balanced the rights of those who wish to protest and the rights of those involved in relevant industries.<\/p>\n

“It shows how seriously the government takes any action which may pose risks to human safety, animal welfare, food safety, biosecurity or may cause economic losses for these businesses,” he said.<\/p>\n

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