Following sustained advocacy Tasmania’s peak body for farmers has welcomed stronger penalties for people carrying a firearm when trespassing on rural properties.

The changes increase the maximum fine from 100 penalty units ($20,200) to 150 penalty units ($30,300), while raising the maximum term of imprisonment from two to three years.

President of TasFarmers, Nathan Cox, said TasFarmers was pleased that, after campaigning for several years, its efforts had culminated in these changes.

“It’s good to see the crossbench and government deliver these reforms,” Mr Cox said.

“For too long, people caught committing armed trespass in the country were getting very light sentences. We know that if the same thing happened in the city, it would be on the front page of every newspaper.

“There is a huge amount of risk for farmers, their families, employees and visitors when criminals are roaming around properties without authorisation and carrying firearms,” Mr Cox said.

Mr Cox said the reaction from farmers would be that it was about time appropriate penalties were handed down for serious criminal acts involving firearms.

“Penalties will act as a deterrent, whether through fines or the prospect of imprisonment. Heavy fines are more than appropriate for those caught doing the wrong thing.

“Armed trespass is not something farmers should have to put up with. We see poaching, fences cut and livestock killed, with cuts of meat and heads removed and the carcasses left behind.

“It’s disappointing that the Greens chose to ignore the concerns of rural communities and the damage caused by armed trespassers,” Mr Cox said.

Source: TasFarmers