Farmers in our local area need protection from extreme activists who are targeting their homes, businesses and families. Australians rely on our farmers and the agricultural industry every day and they should not be subjected to the illegal invasion of their property and their privacy. There must be consequences for this extreme behaviour. The use of personal information like names and addresses to incite people to break the law is just not on and we need to take strong measures to ensure these activists feel the full force of the law.

If re-elected, our government will pass laws which will ensure that what Aussie Farms is doing is illegal and punishable by up to 12 months' imprisonment. The government will ensure these new offences have appropriate exemptions such as those for bona-fide journalists and whistleblowers.

Our farm and agriculture sector is a $60 billion industry, employing thousands of Australians in rural and regional areas, and we can't afford to put this at risk because of the actions of these extremists.

I know that the overwhelming majority of farmers and primary producers do the right thing and care for their animals humanely, and they shouldn't face this type of law-breaking and deliberate targeting. This demonstrates that the Liberal National government is prepared to stand up and protect our farmers and agriculture industry, and ensure that extreme activists are called to account for their actions.

Australians aged 18 years and older will go to the polls on Saturday, May 18, to vote in the federal election of the 46th Parliament of Australia, following the announcement made by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday, April 11.