The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has commended the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) for revoking the charity status of Aussie Farms Inc after it published the location and contact details of farms around Australia.
As a result, the organisation will no longer have access to Commonwealth charity tax concessions, including income tax exemption, fringe benefits tax rebates and goods and services tax concessions.
QFF CEO Dr Georgina Davis said Aussie Farms accused intensive animal farmers and abattoirs of animal exploitation and encouraged people to submit information, photos, video and documents relating to the addresses disclosed on their interactive website.
“Over the past couple of years, the actions of animal activists towards legitimate businesses have become more disruptive and extreme. Peaceful protesting and marches on public property have been replaced with highly organised and threatening invasions of livestock farms and processing facilities,” Dr Davis said.
“These actions invade farmers’ privacy, threaten the welfare of their animals, pose unacceptable risks to their businesses and have implications for food safety and security.”
“The decision by the ACNC sends a clear message that this type of action and online tools such as the Aussie Farms Map are neither appropriate nor helpful.”
“We appreciate all levels of government consulting with the agriculture sector and taking a harder stand against these actions and ensuring that the legal protections and the punishments reflect the crimes.”