Fire ants: War of words between Labor, Nationals politicians as fight against invasive pest rages on in Qld, NSW
The Federal government is copping it after hundreds of millions more in funding was revealed to eradicate pest fire ants – but defenders say the cash splash will make a big difference.
Regional News
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The Coalition has laid into the Labor Federal government over its announcement of an extra $268 million in funding to stop the spread of invasive and dangerous fire ants.
The money came past its use by date and Labor was “shamed into” releasing the cash, according to National Party leader and Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud.
In July, the stinging ants were detected at Mermaid Waters on the Gold Coast – just 11 kilometres from the Queensland-NSW border, prompting fears the stinging insect could already be present in the southern state.
Fears were raised about the potential closure of beaches and public areas.
The discovery jump-started a comprehensive awareness campaign spearheaded by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Tweed Shire Council.
The federal government has also pledged its commitment.
Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Agriculture Minister Murray Watt announced the latest funding as road monitoring and intercepts for material which may be housing the ants is underway around the border
Mr Littleproud said Labor was forced to push out more funding after were “shamed into this” funding announcement because of the Senate Inquiry into Red Fire Ants and Varroa mite.
He slammed Mr Watt as “incompetent” and said the Federal response came “too slow, too little, too late.”
“The Response Plan in July said $593 million was required over the next four years to control the pest, including immediate funding for 2023-24,” Mr Littleproud said.
“(And) Labor’s funding was needed four months ago, which puts the time-critical response at risk.
“The frightening thing is that if it gets up above the Great Dividing Range, it could potentially get into the Murray Darling Basin, and that could effectively see the fire ants go right down to Adelaide.”
However, Mr Chalmers and Mr Watt said the new money would build on $411m provided nationally over the past six years.
Mr Chalmers said 350 new workers, a new depot, new vehicles, new aerial eradication contracts and an additional 1400 tonnes of bait each year would be funded.
He said the ant treatment and surveillance area would be doubled.
Mr Watt stressed the government’s aim was to completely eradicate the introduced pest.
He praised the Queensland government and said it has done a “terrific job so far in trying to contain the spread” – despite the ant’s discovery near the border.
He said “we know that we need to do more if we don’t just want to contain the spread but if we want to eradicate it”.
Mr Watt said the funding would “go a long way to further containment and control” and “pave the way to eradication of this terrible pest” before the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane.
Phone NSW DPI on 1800 680 244 if you spot a fire ant in NSW.
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