House debates

Thursday, 25 July 2019

Questions without Notice

Biosecurity

2:26 pm

Photo of Michael McCormackMichael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Monash for his question in relation to issues having an effect on regional Australia and on our hardworking farmers, who are the world's best environmentalists and the world's best land carers. Regional development is important to our farmers; it's important to our government. The member for Monash knows full well the risk of biosecurity breaches caused by animal activists—criminals—illegally trespassing on farms. They're breaking the law. Australian agricultural experts estimate that an outbreak of highly contagious animal diseases would cost our agricultural industry up to $16 billion. That's more than a quarter of what the industry is worth. Anyone who intentionally puts one of Australia's most important industries at risk should be thrown in jail for a very, very long time.

In the member for Monash's electorate, the Gippy Goat Cafe in Yarragon was invaded by 70 activists. They stole three goats from the property. Goodness knows what they did with them! The cafe chose to close, with the owners blaming constant harassment by abusive vegan activists. The green-collar criminal who was found guilty—

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