No charity status for activist group

Federal Minister for Water Resources David Littleproud has welcomed a decision by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission to strip Aussie Farms of its charitable status.

Mr Littleproud said Aussie Farms ran a website listing the details of thousands of Australian farms and encouraging activists to take part in farm invasions.

Aussie Farms describes itself as a ‘non-profit animal rights organisation, dedicating 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’.

“This is a win for common sense,” Mr Littleproud said.

“As Agriculture Minister I wrote to the charities commissioner asking him to review Aussie Farms’ charitable status. Today he acted.

“I also worked with the Attorney-general to bring Aussie Farms under the Privacy Act with a maximum penalty of $2.1 million for breaching the act.

“Charities do not invade people’s privacy and encourage illegal behaviour.

“Our farmers deserve respect for putting the best food in the world on our dinner tables.

“These activists put farming families at risk by encouraging large-scale trespass.

“No one wants 50 strangers invading their backyard where their kids play.

“Aussie Farms will lose charity tax benefits after being exposed for what they are – militant activists.”