The Nationals WA have slammed the Attorney General for leaving the agricultural community vulnerable to continued attacks by animal activists as a result of ineffective bail conditions.
Agriculture spokesperson Colin de Grussa accused the Attorney General of being “detached from reality” regarding his recent comments around bail conditions.
“The Attorney General claims that ‘bail conditions seem to be working’ – despite the presence of convicted activists at protests in Narrogin, Beaufort River, Harvey and Osborne Park last week,” Mr de Grussa said.
“One criminal activist has been arrested several times for crimes including trespass, possession of a weapon, breaching bail and disorderly conduct. Yet this person is still permitted to enter abattoirs, stockyards and educational facilities without breaching bail conditions.”
Mr de Grussa said the lack of consequences for animal activists was alarming for the agricultural sector.
“If someone showed up to your home or business under the cover of darkness, carrying a weapon, stealing your property and posting videos on the internet aimed at sabotaging your livelihood, you would expect them to be locked up,” he said.
“Yet when animal activists are faced with these exact charges, our chief lawmaker the Attorney General has his head in the sand.
“These crimes are happening on his watch.
“He must be accountable.”
Mr de Grussa said the Attorney General had failed to make good on a single promise regarding criminal activists.
“Every time he is questioned, he has a new solution – from beefing up restraining orders to banning live-streaming – but as soon as the wind changes, he forgets that and moves on to something else,” he said.
“There is absolutely zero follow through.”
Mr de Grussa said The Nationals WA had called on the Attorney General to increase the penalties for trespass and deliver legislation to Parliament immediately to deter animal activists.
“Farmers and food producers have the right to feel safe and secure in their homes and at their places of business,” he said. “They are not the ones breaking the law.
“The Nationals WA are calling on the McGowan Government to urgently provide our farmers with the protection they deserve.”
