The Nationals have vowed to strongly oppose new legislation proposed by the Allan Labor Government that would allow government officials and transmission companies to enter private farmland without consent and fine landholders who object.
The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill would hand sweeping powers to VicGrid and authorised officers, allowing them to forcibly access private property, cut locks, break gates, and issue penalties for resistance.
Under the Bill, landholders who obstruct access to authorised officers could face fines up to $12,210. Refusing to provide identification or proof of ownership may attract penalties over $4,000.
Interfering with notices of entry could incur fines of more than $1,200. Corporations face even higher fines, reaching nearly $49,000.
“The Nationals will oppose Labor’s shocking new legislation that gives government officials and energy companies the power to break onto private farmland without permission,” Mr Cameron said.
“This is an outrageous overreach from a government that has lost control of its energy rollout, and once again it’s hardworking farmers and regional families who will bear the brunt of these reckless decisions.
“Under this Bill authorised officers can cut locks, break gates, and force their way onto your property – all in the name of building transmission lines for Labor’s chaotic renewables plan.”
Mr Cameron said the government was prioritising energy companies over property rights, biosecurity, and liability concerns if something goes wrong, such as livestock escaping or disease spreading.
“People are rightly worried about losing farmland, biosecurity risks, disrupted livelihoods, and long-term damage to farming communities,” he said
“The Nationals stand with farmers and regional communities and will fight hard to stop this Bill from becoming law.”
