The Hon. David Littleproud, Leader of The Nationals, Media Release, 18 October 2024
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said Labor 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 Labor 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.
Mr Littleproud said not eradicating fire ants puts every Australian’s way of life at risk and the issue has not been taken seriously by the Labor Government after a crucial inquiry.
“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.
“Labor has sat on its hands and refused to take action. There are huge concerns in the community about the eradication program.
“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.”
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 warned many times last year 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.
“The lack of action and the delays in funding undermine previous work that had been done under the Coalition Government to control fire ants.”
Related stories: Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA)
