I’ve been in parliament for the past two weeks, standing up for the regions and representing the interests of those who rely on backpackers to harvest their crops and pick the fruit from the trees.

I have fought alongside my Coalition colleagues to reduce the backpacker tax – so backpackers remain attracted to visiting our communities and so farmers have access to the necessary labour to help with their harvest. 

Now that the rate has been set at 15 per cent, far less than the original 32.5 per cent, farmers and horticulturalists across the region can be comfortable knowing that the rate has been settled on by the parliament and continue to carry on with one of the busiest periods on the land.

The Labor Party brought in this tax in yet another example of their lack of understanding of rural and regional Australia. They stood in the way and blocked the government’s sensible reduction.

This is a sensible outcome and one that I am pleased the parliament was able to deliver before the end of the year.

People of the Goulburn region and throughout NSW are rightly dismayed at the light sentence handed out in the case of the Real Estate Agent who allowed hundreds of sheep to die in agony on his farm. By the time inspectors arrived at the property, hundreds of sheep had died; many others were still alive but had their eyes pecked out by crows. The sentence, a 12-month suspended sentence and a two-year good-behaviour bond, does not in any way reflect the seriousness of this crime. 

People who hurt animals are just getting warmed up. The link between cruelty to animals and other violent crimes is recognised by the FBI, which has found that a history of cruelty to animals regularly appears in its records of serial rapists and murderers. Psychiatrists list cruelty to animals as a diagnostic criterion in the standard diagnostic and treatment manual for conduct disorders.

Numerous studies show that people who harm animals often move on to harm humans. For example, one US study found that animal abusers are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against humans. Another study, in Australia, revealed that 100 per cent of sexual homicide offenders examined had a history of animal cruelty.

Penalties for cases of cruelty and neglect are rarely imposed to the full extent of the law. The Crimes Act and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act allow for penalties up to five years in prison or $22,000 fines for individuals or $110,000 for corporations.

Cruelty to animals is a serious crime that must be taken seriously. If you suspect someone of abusing an animal, report it to authorities right away for the safety of the entire community.

Today is International Volunteer Day, a time for us to reflect on the immense contribution volunteers make to our society and thank them for all that they do.

Red Cross is an organisation built on voluntary service, made up of 17 million volunteers worldwide. Volunteers help us save lives, build resilient communities, support people in disaster, and prevent and alleviate human suffering in times of war and conflict.

Every day our 35,000 members and volunteers in Australia improve the wellbeing of those who are experiencing extreme vulnerability. I can’t thank them enough for their time, energy and commitment, and I feel privileged to work alongside them.