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Labor Must Change Law To Protect Primary IndustriesThe law which excused an animal liberation activist from conviction for causing economic loss to a business must be changed, Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said. By Philip Davis - 11th May 2005 - Back to News The activist was acquitted by a jury because he argued his intention was to raise public awareness, not to cause economic loss.
While the law says his actions had an unintentional impact, the consequences of his action were to cause major financial loss to the live sheep trade and to farmers.
"In our democratic system, we defend the right of people to raise public awareness about issues by protesting," Mr Davis said.
"Interfering with private trade or business is not an acceptable form of protest.
"This acquittal is the result of a loophole in the way the law is interpreted.
"Agriculture is the lifeblood of country Victoria and contributes more than a third of our exports.
"Our farming practices are among the most humane in the world with close scrutiny by regulatory authorities," he said.
Mr Davis urged Labor’s Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron to ensure that immediate amendments are introduced to the Parliament to deal with this issue.
"There is now an apparent risk that this acquittal may encourage other animal liberation extremists in campaigns against livestock industries," he said.
"Agricultural industries need assurance from the Bracks Government that they will be protected by the law if they fall victim to extreme actions while they are going about their everyday business.
"Bob Cameron is disconnected from many of his portfolio issues, but this is an issue he cannot afford to ignore.
"He needs to step up to the plate and do something about this precedent for the sake of Victoria’s agricultural future, which has the potential to significantly damage agricultural industries and employment across country and regional Victoria."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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