The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has announced that the Animal Welfare and Trespass Legislation Amendment Act 2023 was now in operation with new laws aimed at deterring trespass on farms and protecting the welfare of farmed animals.
In a statement, the Department said the maximum penalty for individuals charged with illegally entering a premise used for commercial animal farming or slaughter had been doubled.
“Offenders will now face a maximum of two years’ imprisonment and a fine of $24,000 if found guilty of the new offence of aggravated trespass,” the Department said.
“Additionally, if a court chooses not to sentence an adult offender to prison, it must impose a minimum penalty of a fine and community order,” it said.
The Department said that as part of the reform package, improvements to the Animal Welfare Act 2002 had given designated inspectors the power to enter facilities to monitor their compliance with animal welfare requirements.
Previously, the Act only permitted inspectors to enter these places by consent, under a warrant, or where the inspector had reasonable suspicions of an offence.
Attorney General, John Quigley said the new laws struck a balance between protecting the agricultural sector and ensuring the community had confidence in the animal welfare practices employed by the sector.
“By enhancing the existing animal welfare inspection regime, animal advocates will no longer be able to use lack of transparency in abattoirs and other intensive production facilities as a reason for their illegal actions,” Mr Quigley said.
“They will face far greater consequences should they break the law,” he said.
