Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud says the government has wasted six months on its Senate inquiry into red imported fire ants in Australia – ‘don’t let this come back to bite us’.
Mr Littleproud said the government has been too slow to act on key Senate inquiry recommendations, allowing the red imported fire ant biosecurity zone to progressively increase in size.
Recent outlier detections in Queensland include Caboolture, Oakey and Meringandan West in Toowoomba and Nirimba and Currimundi on the Sunshine Coast, while in New South Wales outlier detections have been found in South Murwillumbah and Wardell.
‘Labor has failed to implement or act on key recommendations it was given an entire six months ago in April, in the Senate inquiry’s final report,’ Mr Littleproud said.
‘Critically, the first recommendation was that the Australian government review the current level of funding with the state governments. Despite warning about this, Labor still hasn’t bothered responding, yet alone investigating or acting on this recommendation.
‘Six whole months have passed and Labor is still ignoring the recommendations, including calls for investigate alternative models for delivery of the eradication program to improve independence, and transparency, improve public engagement and improve the delivery of the eradication program.
‘The Committee also identified the urgent need to increase stakeholder engagement and community education…. to assist the long-term eradication goal.’
Mr Littleproud says the government has sat on its hands and refused to take action.
Queensland and beyond threatened
‘The community deserves answers and reassurance that the funding is enough, and the Queensland Labor Government is delivering its eradication program in an effective and timely manner,’ he said.
The Australia Institute warned last month Queensland households could be hit with an annual bill of $188 million, if fire ants aren’t eradicated.
Mr Littleproud also says he has warned repeatedly that Labor’s $268 million over four years in federal funding to eradicate fire ants risked not being enough.
‘Labor’s funding was needed urgently in early 2023, but was delayed until the end of 2023, which put the time-critical response at risk,’ he said.
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