UPDATE: THE full bench of the High Court has allowed the NSW Farmers’ Association to intervene in the Peter Spencer case being heard today and tomorrow in Canberra.
Mr Spencer, a southern NSW farmer evicetd from his farm in February, wants the High Court today to guarantee farmers' rights to commonwealth compensation when their properties are subject to state native vegetation laws.
The eviction, for matters unrelated to the case, followed Mr Spencer's much-publicised 52-day hunger strike that ended in January.
The High Court challenge is being supported by the NSW Farmers Association, which has sought to intervene in the case.
"This is a test case for all Australian farmers and it represents a continuation of our campaign regarding property rights,” Mr Armstrong said.
"Unless the property rights of farmers are recognised and given some sanctity, farmers will not be confident to invest in the industry because the risk is too great.”
The Association has provided significant financial support to Mr Spencer’s High Court legal challenge directly and through the Australian Farmers’ Fighting Fund because the ramifications of this case are wide, Mr Armstrong said.
The Association is continuing to brief Bret Walker SC, he said. It is expected the Association’s arguments will be heard tomorrow.
