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Senate inquiry into spread of imported Red fire ants due to concerns on Albanese Labor government handling of eradication funding

Senate inquiry that will assess the costs and impacts of the red imported fire ants, the effectiveness of eradication efforts, and funding allocation.

By news@gippsland - 18th October 2023 - Back to News

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has welcomed a Senate Inquiry into the spread of red imported fire ants. Mr Littleproud said the inquiry was urgently needed, with Labor losing control of its National Fire Ant Eradication Program and failing to commit to the funding required.

The red imported fire ants is a destructive pest, causing billions in damage, harming wildlife, and disrupting crop harvesting with its mounds, machinery damage, and pasture threats

Fire ant inquiry scope

The Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for Inquiry will investigate the costs and impacts, if red imported fire ants are able to spread across Australia, as well as an assessment of the current and proposed fire ant response plans. It will also investigate the effectiveness of eradication efforts and undertake an evaluation of funding provided for current and proposed red imported fire ant response plans.

"This inquiry couldn't come soon enough, with red imported fire ants now on the Gold Coast and just five kilometres from the border. The Invasive Species Council is warning red imported fire ants could now spread beyond current containment zones into western Queensland and New South Wales. This would have devastating consequences," Mr Littleproud said.

Funding for pest control

A Response Plan says there needs to be $592 million spent over the next four years to control the pest and immediately implement funding for 2023-24. Mr Littleproud added the lack of action was undermining previous work that had been done under the Coalition government. "The Federal Labor government should be contributing their share of funding that is required under the $133 million Response Plan immediately."

"We now know in the Response Plan, a funding option was reduced to just $84 million, as some jurisdictions, including the Albanese Labor government, hadn't got their internal funding sorted. This isn't good enough and we need to investigate the consequences," he said.

Pictures from Wikipedia website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Danny O’Brien warns 33 percent crime rise highlights Gippsland commuters’ safety concerns, lacking adequate PSO protection
  Crime on Gippsland public transport has risen nearly 33% in 12 months, raising concerns about PSO coverage and regional commuter safety under the Allan Labor government.
• Gippsland’s growth at risk without urgent government investment in housing, infrastructure, warns One Gippsland Chair
  One Gippsland warns growth could stall without urgent investment in housing and infrastructure to support workforce, energy projects, and address social, affordable housing shortages across the region.
• Bass Coast Shire Council begins Cowes foreshore upgrades with $8M funding improvements for safer, greener, connected spaces
  Bass Coast Shire Council will soon commence the Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project, delivering staged civil and landscaping upgrades with $8 million federal funding, revitalising Cowes into a safer, greener and more connected destination.
• Tim Bull trashes misused Treasurer’s Advance as Allan government wastes $9M on costly failed camping trial
  The Allan government spent $9 million in emergency funds on a failed free-camping trial, creating "ghost bookings" and hurting local businesses, prompting Nationals MP Tim Bull to condemn the misuse and demand accountability.
• Tim Bull says Victoria can’t manage current parks, criticising government plans to further expand network
  Tim Bull says expanding Victoria’s national parks is irresponsible, arguing existing parks are neglected, understaffed and overrun by pests, weeds and feral animals, with reduced funding making effective land management increasingly impossible.
• Darren Chester urges federal support for forest scientists making Australia's sustainable native hardwood timber industry
  Darren Chester has urged the Albanese government to support credible forest scientists backing Australia's sustainable native hardwood timber industry, criticising activist influence and government bans harming regional jobs and communities.
• Darren Chester braces Gippslanders demand for safer roads as funding stalls while initiatives like Cycling Without Age grow
  Gippslanders demand urgent road repairs, with Princes Highway neglected for years, while initiatives like Cycling Without Age provide older residents joy, connection, and community engagement across the region.
• Darren Chester secures $20,000 to preserve Tambo Valley trenches commemorating Victoria's WWII history
  Darren Chester secured $20,000 funding to preserve the historic Tambo Valley Trenches, enhancing access, safety, and interpretation, while honouring East Gippsland's wartime history and boosting cultural tourism along the Great Alpine Road.
• Victorian Auditor-General warns Gippsland faces energy insecurity amid Labor’s mismanaged renewable energy transition
  Victorian Auditor-General warns Gippsland faces energy insecurity as Labor mismanages the renewable energy transition, delaying projects, electricity reliability, raising prices, causing gas shortages, and threatening jobs and households.
• Darren Chester delivers $3000 grant to Rosedale Historical Society for eco-friendly heating upgrade and safety improvements
  Darren Chester delivered a $3000 Volunteer Grant to Rosedale Historical Society, funding eco-friendly heating upgrades that improve safety and sustainability while supporting volunteers and preserving the district's heritage for future generations.
• Danny O'Brien welcomes progress on Sealers Cove track repairs but slams years of Labor delays at Wilsons Prom
  Danny O'Brien welcomed long-overdue progress on Sealers Cove track repairs at Wilsons Prom but criticised Labor for years of delays, saying Gippsland deserves timely investment in vital tourism infrastructure and facilities.
• Danny O'Brien commends South Gippsland Shire for securing Nyora transport study funding, urges further state investment
  Danny O'Brien has praised South Gippsland Shire Council for securing state funding for the Nyora Transport Study, urging the Allan Labor Government to follow through with real investment and road upgrades.