❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about lenient sentencing for animal activists trespassing on farms and stealing property. The government is introducing legislation to strengthen penalties, including increased prison sentences, while balancing rights of entry for inspectors.
AnsweredQoN 129Legislative Council
Asked
20 February 2020
Member
Portfolio
Leader of the House representing the Attorney General
QuestionView source ↗
ANIMAL ACTIVISM —
TRESPASS
129. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the Leader of the House representing
the Attorney General:
I refer the minister to a news story
from yesterday about a vegan activist who avoided jail over charges including
trespass and stealing. The activist showed no remorse and expressly stated that
he was willing to reoffend.
(1) Is it the government's
position that the punishment fits the crime for this individual?
(2) What is the state government
doing to protect farmers from vegan activists?
(3) Is it the
government's position that jail time is appropriate for activists who
wilfully trespass and steal farmers' property?
TRESPASS
129. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the Leader of the House representing
the Attorney General:
I refer the minister to a news story
from yesterday about a vegan activist who avoided jail over charges including
trespass and stealing. The activist showed no remorse and expressly stated that
he was willing to reoffend.
(1) Is it the government's
position that the punishment fits the crime for this individual?
(2) What is the state government
doing to protect farmers from vegan activists?
(3) Is it the
government's position that jail time is appropriate for activists who
wilfully trespass and steal farmers' property?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) Without
commenting on a particular case—as an aside, honourable member, that
would not be appropriate—the Attorney General notes that if an offender
receives a suspended prison sentence, they live under the threat of
imprisonment if they commit a further offence. The McGowan government is
committed to introducing legislation to strengthen penalties for those who
trespass upon farmland to interfere with food production, at the same time as
balancing enhanced rights of entry for inspectors to abattoirs, knackeries and
intensive farms. The penalties contained in the bill will include increased
prison sentences. It will be up to the judiciary to determine the most
appropriate penalty to result from any particular conviction, having regard to
all the circumstances of the case.
commenting on a particular case—as an aside, honourable member, that
would not be appropriate—the Attorney General notes that if an offender
receives a suspended prison sentence, they live under the threat of
imprisonment if they commit a further offence. The McGowan government is
committed to introducing legislation to strengthen penalties for those who
trespass upon farmland to interfere with food production, at the same time as
balancing enhanced rights of entry for inspectors to abattoirs, knackeries and
intensive farms. The penalties contained in the bill will include increased
prison sentences. It will be up to the judiciary to determine the most
appropriate penalty to result from any particular conviction, having regard to
all the circumstances of the case.
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