Call for Auditor General to investigate $411m fire ant program
A controversial $411 million southeast Queensland fire ant program is again under scrutiny over its spending, with questions being asked after claims of long delays to treat ant nests and cash spent on using helicopters to find the invasive species.
Logan
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THE state Opposition is calling for an inquiry into the management of the $411million fire ant eradication program after questions about the lack of fines over the pest’s spread.
Shadow Agriculture Minister Tony Perrett said he wanted the Queensland Audit Office to find out how money was being spent and why no prosecutions had been made.
Mr Perrett made his plea in a letter to the Queensland Auditor General Brendan Worrall, after reading a story in the Albert & Logan News about documents revealing the startling spread of the pest.
The story prompted revelations that there had been 26 fire ant detections outside the eradication zone with two areas in Logan.
“Recent media reports and claims by whistle blowers are that the program is failing in its
mandate to make progress and contain, let alone eradicate, the invasive species,” he said.
“By the end of 2019-20, the Queensland government will have spent more than $134 million of the $411 million allocation, three years into the 10-year eradication plan.
“But most concerning are reports that Biosecurity Queensland has failed to prosecute, or fine, any individuals or businesses under penalty regulations for spreading fire ants.
“This is despite admitting fire ants have been detected during compliance activities.
“Queensland has a responsibility to deliver on its and Australian taxpayers’ investment.”
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Mr Perrett said the investigation was needed after claims made about long delays responding to requests in Logan to treat ant nests, significant expenditure on techniques such as helicopter heat tracking, and a lack of action from Biosecurity Queensland in responding to and treating sightings.
He said Agriculture Minister Mark Furner’s assurances the program was running to plan was in contrast to reports to the Opposition from whistle blowers showing the pest was spreading.
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