What are the consequences of purchasing pest animals from anywhere in Australia, then applying for a permit but the application is rejected?
Ignorance of the law is not a defence. By applying for a permit it demonstrates some knowledge of the legal provisions. The logical process could be that if you know you need a permit for something you should obtain the permit first. It is illegal to bring pest animals into Victoria, see section 75 of Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. The laws relating to pest animals in Victoria are fairly consistent interstate. If people are purchasing pest animals interstate they may be breaking laws of that state also. Anyone detected undertaking this practice will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the legislation. It is understood that the Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982 has a reverse onus of proof in it. Animals may be seized from a person and that person has to demonstrate that the animals came from a legal source. Legal source means someone authorised to possess, breed and trade in that species.
