Committee tick for tougher activist laws

A parliamentary committee has backed laws that would force animal rights activists to hand over footage of animal cruelty as soon as possible.

Liberal senator Chris Back's private bill would penalise activists who did not immediately hand over footage and create an offence for anyone who destroys property on a farm or other animal enterprise.

The latter carries maximum penalties of one year to life imprisonment, depending on the extent of the damage to property or residents.

A Senate committee reviewing the bill recommended it be passed with an amendment that requires the footage be handed over "as soon as practicable" rather than within one business day.

The Australian Greens are concerned the bill will criminalise animal cruelty "investigators" while turning a blind eye to the perpetrators.

"The Greens unequivocally reject this offensive bill," Greens senators wrote in a dissenting report.