Terrorising Farmers Not On Says Nile

The Rev Fred Nile MLC, Leader of the Christian Democratic Party, has stated that Green groups that have allegedly been terrorising farmers and their stock from the air should be brought to heel by the Government. In a question to the Minister for Natural Resources, Primary Industries and Mineral Resources, Rev Nile raised the issue, condemning the reported low-level spy flights.

Rev Hon. Fred Nile: I direct my question to the Minister for Natural Resources, Primary Industries and Mineral Resources. Have representatives of the Greens and the Wilderness Society been conducting low-level spy flights over farms in the Western District, especially around Nyngan and Cobar? Have these low-level flights, which involve buzzing farms, terrorised farmers and their families and caused expensive cattle, including bulls, to flee in fear into the bush, for which the farmers involved may seek to claim compensation? Did the Minister or any officer of his department or any other Government agency authorise or co-operate in any way with these spy flights? Who paid for these flights? Will the Minister issue an immediate directive making it clear that regrowth native vegetation, grass bushes and so on on farm properties are not covered by the Native Vegetation Act?

Hon. Ian Macdonald: On 21 August 2006, two compliance officers from the Department of Natural Resources [DNR] visited a property in the Cobar district. The visit was in response to a report from a member of the public that illegal clearing may have taken place on the property. I am advised that the landholders held consents to clear and cultivate under the Western Lands Act. DNR officers contacted the property owners to discuss the situation and received permission to visit the property and inspect clearing and cultivation activities to ensure they were carried out in accordance with the law. However, upon arrival at the property, the officers were met by a group of about 200 people who prevented them from accessing the site and carrying out their duties.

It has subsequently come to my attention that the farmers involved in this incident have expressed concerns about the actions of an environmental lobby group that allegedly conducted inspections of the property in question. The owner of the property has claimed that the plane hired by the group conducted low-level swoops over his land and caused distress to his cattle. If that is indeed the case, I make it clear that the State Government does not support irresponsible actions that endanger livestock and property. At the same time, it should be pointed out that civil aviation laws are a Federal Government responsibility. If anyone has any complaints of this nature, they should be referred to the appropriate Federal agency. They should also be made in good faith and evidence should be provided.