Activist group loses charity status

The animal rights activist group who provided addresses of agricultural businesses in Australia, subsequently provoking raids on farms in the South West, has been stripped of its charitable status.

When Aussie Farms created an interactive map with the names, addresses and contact details of every farm, abattoir, and agri-business in Australia it sparked huge backlash.

Harvey farmer Jason Parravicini was just one of a number of people who subsequently found vegan activists trespassing on his property.

Two vegan activists turned up on Mr Parravicini’s property unannounced and started filming calves on his property.

During the confrontation Mr Parravicini fired two shots from his shotgun into the sky.

Several South West businesses and farmers were listed on the map.

This week the Charities and Not-for-profits Commission made the decision to strip the activist group of their status as a charity.

WA Dairy Farmers president, and Brunswick farmer Michael Partridge said what the group had done was “disgusting” and a “massive breach” of privacy.

“For them to be able to collect money under a charity status was wrong and we’re very pleased it has been removed,” he said.

“It was encouraging bad behaviour from activists...our farms are our homes and our businesses.”

“We take our animal welfare very seriously in the farming system and we’re proud of what we do and to be slammed in that way in a public arena was disgusting.”

Forrest MHR Nola Marino welcomed the Commission’s decision.

“Groups like Aussie Farms, whose operations involve encouraging criminal trespass on private property and sabotage of legitimate business, constitute an abuse of that privileged position.

“Political activists and organisations condoning criminal activities masquerading as charities corrodes Australian’s trust in charities overall.”