Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Amendments to double maximum fine for farm invasion blocked by Labor, Greens and Independent MPsAmendments to double the maximum fine for illegal farm invasion have been blocked in Victorian Parliament by Labor, Greens and Independent MPs. By news@gippsland - 23rd March 2022 - Back to News The Liberals and Nationals proposed two amendments to the Livestock Management Amendment (Animal Activism) Bill 2021 to double the maximum fine for individuals in line with New South Wales' hefty penalty scheme - which is the toughest in the nation - and to protect a farmer's river frontage land. But late last night, Labor teamed up with the Greens and Independents in Parliament's Upper House to block the changes and instead implement a fine that's among the lowest in the nation. 
Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath led the establishment of a Parliamentary Inquiry into protecting farmers against farm trespass following traumatic illegal invasions No sympathy for farmersShadow Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh slammed the Labor Government for abandoning Victorian farmers. "The state Labor government has revealed where its sympathies lie and it's not with our state's hard-working women and men who produce the food and fibre that feeds our nation. Doubling the maximum fine would have sent a strong message to anyone considering trespassing on a farmer's private property that Victoria won't tolerate illegal farm invasions." "Farms are the family home, they're a sanctuary for the people who live and work on them but these fines could have been much stronger to deter militant activities of law-breaking activists. The Agriculture Minister had two long years to get this right, but with the support of the Greens and Independents, Labor has implemented fines that are among the lowest in the nation." Mr Walsh said. Farmers deserve safetyThe Liberals and Nationals amendments pushed to raise the maximum fine for an individual from $10,904 to $21,809, bringing us in line with the equivalent maximum fine in Queensland and New South Wales, which has the highest in the nation. Mr Walsh said farmers deserved to feel safe in their own home. "It's perhaps no wonder when nearly half of Labor's MPs rely on the support of Greens preferences to get re-elected. If the Parliament can't back the farmers who provide our food and fibre and manage much of our landscape, then it's not doing its job." Mr Walsh concluded. Pictures from Peter Walsh MP website.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Morwell CBD double-storey car park set to deliver more than 120 additional free parking spaces soon
Preparation works have begun for Morwell’s new double-storey CBD car park, expected to start construction in October, adding more than 120 free spaces and completing Latrobe City’s Regional Car Parks Fund projects. - Labor Backpacker Visa changes leave farmers facing worker shortages and application burden
The National Farmers’ Federation will lodge fast-track backpacker applications amid Working Holiday Maker cuts, as Coalition MPs criticise Labor’s changes and warn farmers face uncertainty securing seasonal workers during peak periods. - Liberals and Nationals pledge to double prescribed burning and target five percent annual public land fuel reduction
The Liberals and Nationals pledge to double prescribed burning and work towards treating five per cent of public land annually, alongside cultural burning, improved transparency and targeted fuel reduction to strengthen bushfire preparedness. - The Nationals and farm groups warn EPBC changes create uncertainty for farmers and land management
Nationals leader Matt Canavan met with farm groups over concerns Labor’s EPBC changes could create uncertainty and regulatory risks. Industry wants amendments, clearer guidance, mapping, support tools and independent review. - East Gippsland and Wellington farmers' 'Looking Ahead Farmer Survey' extended until 9 October 2026
Farmers across East Gippsland and Wellington have until October 9 to complete the Looking Ahead Farmer Survey 2026, helping shape agricultural priorities, advocacy and future government support across the region. - Coalition urges Labor to block foreign-backed Cobungra Station sale and protect productive farmland from carbon projects
The Coalition has urged Treasurer Jim Chalmers and FIRB to reject the proposed foreign-backed purchase of Cobungra Station, warning productive farmland should remain dedicated to food production, not carbon projects. - Labor announces four new regional early learning centres for 2029, expanding access to kindergarten and long daycare places
Labor will open four new Early Learning Victoria centres in Alexandra, Drouin, Hamilton and Seymour from 2029, providing more than 400 childcare and kindergarten places across regional Victoria. - Labor government invests $750,000 to support young Gippslanders into education, training and employment opportunities
The Victorian Labor government is investing $750,000 in Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley, supporting 120 young people facing barriers to education, training and employment through 2028. - Labor government boosts Latrobe Valley businesses with funding to strengthen supply chains, expand markets and support future growth
The Carroll Labor government is funding six Latrobe Valley businesses to upgrade equipment, software and skills, strengthen supply chains and expand markets. - Labor government criticised over regional childcare shortages, workforce gaps and red tape following parliamentary inquiry findings
A Victorian parliamentary inquiry found regional childcare providers face severe workforce shortages, vacant places, growing waitlists and excessive red tape, with Melina Bath calling for stronger accountability and practical solutions. - Labor invests $120,000 to modernise Traralgon Library with new study pods and improved community spaces
Harriet Shing joined Latrobe City Mayor Cr Gibson and councillors to announce a $120,000 library upgrade, jointly funded by government and council - The Nationals slam Labor's secret public transport tax funding costly suburban rail loop as regional Victorians bear the burden
The Nationals accuse Victoria's Labor government of secretly taxing public transport users $8 billion to fund the Suburban Rail Loop, while regional communities receive disproportionately less infrastructure funding. - Dental experts warn Labor plan could worsen lengthy public dental waits for vulnerable Gippslanders across regional Victoria
Dental experts warn Labor's proposed public dental expansion could worsen Gippsland wait times, with vulnerable residents already facing waits exceeding two years in some areas. - Melina Bath accuses Labor of failing to curb illicit tobacco crime and escalating violence across regional Victoria
The Nationals have criticised Labor over ongoing illicit tobacco crime, citing alleged abductions, violence, intimidation and suspected illegal stores, while questioning Victoria’s tobacco licensing scheme effectiveness. - The Berry Dairy near Maffra offers strawberry picking, farm tours, animal encounters and family-friendly fun this summer
The Berry Dairy near Maffra offers seasonal strawberry picking, tractor tours, animal encounters, playgrounds and café treats, creating a family-friendly Gippsland destination with fresh produce and farm experiences. - Melina Bath condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, with Victoria recording nearly twice New South Wales' victims
Melina Bath has condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, citing Victoria's high theft rate and major increases across eastern Victoria, while calling for more police, stronger bail laws and tougher sentencing. - Melina Bath calls on Labor to protect locally raised foreshore funds and community priorities across Eastern Victoria
Nationals MP Melina Bath has urged Labor to guarantee $500,000 raised by San Remo residents remains dedicated to local foreshore projects following committee merger concerns. - The Nationals blame Labor government after 84 more jobs cut at Maryvale paper mill in Latrobe Valley
Nationals MP Martin Cameron blamed the Victorian Labor government after Opal announced 84 job cuts at Maryvale, arguing forestry policy and timber supply failures caused ongoing workforce losses. - Melina Bath seeks Labor explanation on Gippsland children face specialist dental service cuts, longer waits and costly travel for treatment
Melina Bath says Gippsland children face longer waits after regional pediatric dental services were cut, forcing families to travel to Melbourne for specialist treatment. - Darren Chester slams Victorian Labor over five-year delay in critical Mallacoota-Genoa Road upgrade despite federal funding
Darren Chester has slammed Victoria's Labor Government over the stalled Mallacoota-Genoa Road upgrade, despite $10m federal funding committed in 2021, saying Gippsland communities have waited five years for promised safety improvements. - Melina Bath accused Labor of ignoring bird flu advice and delaying vaccinations for Victoria's vulnerable little penguin colonies
The Victorian government is accused of ignoring expert advice to proactively vaccinate little penguins against H5N1, delaying action until after infection was detected, potentially leaving colonies vulnerable. - Gippsland offers family-friendly stays, from coastal resorts and farm retreats to holiday parks and secluded cottages
Gippsland offers families diverse accommodation options, from resorts and self-contained cottages to farm stays, holiday homes and caravan parks, providing comfortable bases for beach trips, nature adventures and regional exploration. - Gippsland offers family-friendly stays, from coastal resorts and farm retreats to holiday parks and secluded cottages
Gippsland offers families diverse accommodation options, from resorts and self-contained cottages to farm stays, holiday homes and caravan parks, providing comfortable bases for beach trips, nature adventures and regional exploration. - Darren Chester demands urgent Labor investment to fix dangerous Princes Highway and Gippsland arterial roads
Darren Chester urged Labor governments to urgently fund Gippsland roads, citing dangerous conditions, poor maintenance and reduced investment while highlighting previous Coalition funding for highway and arterial road upgrades. - Danny O'Brien says bushfire inquiry exposes Labor neglect, leaving CFA volunteers under-resourced for escalating firefighting challenges
Danny O'Brien says a parliamentary bushfire inquiry confirms CFA volunteers face declining numbers, ageing equipment and inadequate support, urging Labor to implement recommendations before the next fire season. - The Nationals warn visa delays threaten harvest workforce, food supply and regional farmers already facing mounting pressures
The Nationals warn visa delays are threatening critical harvest and agricultural workforces, urging Labor to provide certainty, faster approvals and migration settings supporting farmers, regional communities and food supply. - Baw Baw Shire Council urges Victorian election candidates to cut red tape and boost farm gate tourism opportunities
Baw Baw Shire Council is urging Victorian election candidates to reduce red tape and ease planning restrictions on farm gate businesses, reforms could boost agritourism, support local producers, create jobs and strengthen regional tourism. - Parliamentary inquiry reveals CFA resource shortfalls after years of Labor neglect, leaving Gippsland communities increasingly vulnerable
A Parliamentary inquiry has highlighted declining CFA volunteer numbers, ageing firefighting vehicles, workforce shortages and poor fuel management, prompting Nationals' Danny O'Brien to demand urgent action to protect Gippsland communities. - Gippsland families face rising cost pressures as Nationals criticise Labor government over interest rates, spending and inflation
The Nationals say rising interest rates are increasing pressure on Gippsland families, criticising Labor’s spending and inflation while outlining plans for budget discipline, tax cuts and productivity. - Regional ambulance response times deteriorate across Eastern Victoria under Labor, Melina Bath demands answers from Carroll government
Melina Bath has criticised deteriorating ambulance response times across eastern Victoria, saying every local government area is worse than 12 years ago and calling on Labor to restore timely emergency care. - Gippsland Landcare champions win Victorian awards for environmental conservation, First Nations collaboration and sustainable agriculture achievements
Two Gippsland Landcare champions have won 2026 Victorian Landcare Awards, with Moogji Aboriginal Council and Kate Mirams and Peter Neaves recognised for environmental stewardship, collaboration and sustainable agriculture. - Melina Bath says boating licence revenue should fund ramps, parking, dredging and safety, supporting Victorian boating and fishing communities
Victoria’s Liberals and Nationals have pledged to protect the Better Boating Fund, which delivered $130 million in four years, supporting boating facilities, waterway safety, recreational fishing and regional jobs. - Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and State MPs to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia’s school lunch program
Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and MPs Marty Cameron and Melina Bath to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia, providing free school lunches to disadvantaged children across Gippsland. - West Gippsland CMA celebrates rural women’s contributions to agriculture, healthy catchments and sustainable farming futures
West Gippsland CMA celebrates rural women’s contributions through a podcast featuring dairy farmer Jess Knight, highlighting farm life, community connections, irrigation knowledge and sustainable agricultural practices shaping the region’s future.
|
|
