IN a bid to bolster farm trespass laws, states have ramped up repercussions for aggravated trespass offences, with even tougher penalties being considered in some jurisdictions in the near future.
Despite SA making significant changes to its Summary Offences Act 1953 at the end of April, to include new, standalone farm trespass legislation that bears a $10,000 fine, unlawful entry onto Qld farms still carries the highest penalty.
In February this year, new Qld laws aimed at deterring animal activists from invading farming premises were passed, carrying unprecedented fines of up to $60,000 and/or 12 months' imprisonment.
But SA Attorney-General Vickie Chapman believed where "SA landed in terms of penalties" was more than appropriate to protect SA farmers.
"These are serious crimes that can have a devastating impact on farmers and their livelihoods and I'm proud to have been able to change these laws," she said.
A strong advocate for heftier farm trespass penalties, Member for Finniss David Basham called for "harmonised" legislation across the country.
"SA laws are pretty solid now and so far, we have not been a big target for aggravated trespass when compared with other states," he said.
"But it is important that laws are consistent nationwide, otherwise certain states could be targeted because of weaker laws."
Joining the conglomerate of state governments sending a strong message to vigilante activists was the NSW government, which passed the Right to Farm Bill and increased the maximum aggravated offence penalty to $13,200, but trespassers operating in duos can also be whacked with a $22,000 fine and/or three years' imprisonment.
The WA government released its new trespass laws for public consultation earlier this year and expect to introduce the bill into Parliament in the coming weeks.
Anyone caught entering a WA farm without an invitation could endure a $24,000 fine and two years' imprisonment, while a two-year community order to ban trespassers from farms could also be handed down.
WA Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan said there had been a "rapid response" from police to trespass incidents.
"These new proposed laws will add an additional deterrent," she said.
Despite the Vic law handing out less penalties for trespass, including fines of more than $4000, the government has thrown its support behind a Parliamentary Inquiry into the Impact of Animal Rights Activism on Victorian Agriculture.
It is considering all recommendations tabled earlier this year and has six months to respond.
Vic Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said animal activism was unacceptable.
"We will always back farmers and their rights to simply get on with their job without fear or intimidation," she said.
But despite a plethora of legislation in each state, Inman Valley cattle producer Sandy Nott wants to see "similarity" between SA and laws across the border.
"The fear of potential trespassers is there and SA's laws are a bit lighter than other states. But we need to test the water first and see what happens, if it works that is great but if it does not, then more changes will need to happen," he said.
"I am sure that a mob of people would jump a border to trespass in another state with less penalties - so there really should be a national approach."
RELATED READING: Anti-activist laws pass parliament
- Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Click here to sign up to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.