Peter Walsh MP, the Nationals representative for Victoria's Murray Plains electorate, has published a formal correction and apology after labelling animal advocacy charity Farm Transparency Project (FTP) "a known terrorist group". 

In the statement, which comes after FTP indicated its intention to commence defamation proceedings, Mr Walsh states:

"I accept that the language I used in the media release was inappropriate... I accept that they are animal rights activists who employ non-violent tactics, to advocate for an end to practices that they are passionate about."

Mr Walsh has also agreed to pay the legal costs incurred by FTP in the matter, and undertaken to never in the future suggest "in any form to anyone" that FTP or its Executive Director, Chris Delforce, "are terrorists or a terrorist organisation". 

Delforce has welcomed the apology, adding: "For the last decade, we've seen the animal abuse industry and its parliamentary representatives toss around the word 'terrorism' in relation to peaceful, non-violent activism as though it means nothing at all. In our view it's shockingly disrespectful to the victims and their families harmed or killed by genuine terrorism. It is not a buzzword, it is not a PR tool, and it absolutely should not be used as a means of excusing or directing attention away from the suffering endured by animals every day in Australia's farms and slaughterhouses. The industry had best take note, we're not going to take this sitting down anymore."