Mr Walsh said last Thursday that Ms Symes refused to support farmers when asked if the State Government backed the Federal Government’s move to review the charity status of animal activist group Aussie Farms.
However on Friday, Ms Symes responded by asking the Commonwealth to undertake the review.
The activist group Aussie Farms has created an online map of Australian animal farms, including contact details and the type of farming that takes place on the land, which raises concerns about vigilante activism against Victorian farmers.
Currently, the website lists local farms in Rochester, Bamawm, Lockington, Timmering, Elmore and Bagshot.
The group claims on its website that it is an “animal rights charity, dedicating [sic] to ending commercialised animal abuse and exploitation in Australian animal agriculture facilities by increasing industry transparency and educating the public about modern farming and slaughtering practices’’.
Mr Walsh said when asked in parliament last week, Ms Symes would not say if the state government backed calls for Aussie Farms to be stripped of its charity tax status after the invasive privacy breach.
“Victorian farmers want to know the new minister has their back, but Ms Symes didn’t step up this week and that was very disappointing,” Mr Walsh said on Thursday.
“Farmers and farming communities are furious and fearful after their personal details were published online.
“In many cases, these farms are not just businesses — they are the homes of the families who run them.”
However, Ms Symes responded on Friday, calling on the Commonwealth to review the charity status.
“The Andrews Labor government is getting on with delivering a progressive reform agenda, modernising our animal welfare legislation so that Victoria continues to represent best practice when it comes to animals and agriculture — this is far more than the Coalition have achieved in their four do-nothing years,” Ms Symes said.
‘‘We’re actually helping farmers get on with the job — supporting them to do their job through their work on biosecurity, promoting agricultural exports, supporting them through extreme weather events and providing them with the knowledge skills and training needed to grow the industry.”
Both MPs agreed that vigilante behaviour is unacceptable.
‘‘Activists who do the wrong thing, be it either trespass or false representation will be dealt with and this behaviour is unacceptable and puts hard-working farming families at risk,” Ms Symes said.
‘‘We are giving police the resources, tools and powers they need to enforce the law and keep the community safe.’’
Mr Walsh said as long as Aussie Farms had a charity status, it undermined the legitimacy of the work of organisations that benefitted the community.
“Genuine charities, and the volunteers who give up their time to do such important work, are a critical part of our country communities,” Mr Walsh said.
“Militant activism that includes trespass on Victorian farms, livestock theft and property damage isn’t charity work — it’s breaking the law.
“Any organisation found to be promoting or financially supporting unlawful actions should face the full force of the law, and they certainly shouldn’t be afforded charity tax benefits.”