Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party) | Hansard source

The bill introduces new offences for the incitement of trespass, property damage or theft on agricultural land. As has been made abundantly clear, these laws don't ban legitimate protest, they don't seek to punish legitimate whistleblowers and they don't prevent legitimate journalistic inquiry. But the key word here is 'legitimate'. Repeated, organised incidents of trespass by animal activists and their concerning lack of remorse is what has prompted this stronger action to deter those who incite this behaviour, especially via the internet.

We have a chance here to stand up to the bullies. We have a chance to be on the side of what is good and what is right. We have a chance, and we actually have a duty, to stand up for those who can't speak up for themselves and for those who've shown admirable restraint while waiting for government to provide new tools to the police and magistrates. Everyone has a right to feel safe in their home. Everyone has a right to conduct legitimate business. This country was built on farming—strong people developing a fertile land to grow the food and fibre the world wants and needs. But, during a time of repeated antifarming legislation from state Labor governments and this time of dry, it has never been more important that we stand behind our Australian farmers and say, 'We need you,' because we do.

The difference between the determination of farmers and the churlishness of activists is that farmers are driven by love and the others by hate. Farmers love their lifestyle and love feeding and clothing families around the world. They are the best in the world at what they do. It is truly a noble profession performed by extraordinary people. And if you attack farmers you attack the very fibre of Australia, and that is unacceptable. Common decency and the majority of fair-minded Australians are counting on us to pass these laws, and I commend them to the House.