Pressure on federal government to stop aggressive ants march through Far North

More cash to kill yellow crazy ants in the Far North is locked in from the state government with pressure now on the Commonwealth to commit to mass eradication of the harmful invasive species long-term.

Federal funding for the Yellow Crazy Ants Eraditcation Program will run out in mid-2026. Photo: Alan Henderson (Wet Tropics Management Authority)

More cash to kill yellow crazy ants in the Far North is locked in from the state government with pressure now on the Commonwealth to commit to mass eradication of the harmful invasive species long-term.

The Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program was launched in 2013 following an outbreak which dramatically impacted ecosystems throughout the Cairns region and its World Heritage-listed rainforest.

The acid spitting ants can form “super colonies”, threatening native species including the Kuranda tree frog. Picture: Alan Henderson

The LNP reaffirmed its state election commitment in Tuesday’s budget to spend $3m per year on the jointly funded program till 2028.

But the federal government has yet to match that figure with funding for the program set to run out mid-next year.

The eradication team, which has a $6m operating budget annually, is overseen by the Wet Tropics Management Authority, who use drones for aerial baiting to kill the acid spitting ants in some areas.

Environment minister Andrew Powell says he believes yellow crazy ants can be eradicated from the Wet Tropics. Picture Lachie Millard

Environment minister Andrew Powell strongly hinted that the state government would back the program last week, prior to the budget’s release.

“That’s why we made the election commitment that we did,” Mr Powell said.

“I’m happy to sit down with the Wet Tropics Management Authority … to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to protect, conserve and showcase to the world these fantastic parts of our state.”

Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith said the program had proven successful in removing the species from around 500ha of rainforest, farmland and suburban areas south of Cairns

over the last decade.

“The Albanese government continues to work alongside state territory governments when it comes to invasive pest management,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Powell also defended the recent appointment of two top tourism executives to the Authority’s board, replacing a world-renowned ecologist and land management expert.

“The Wet Tropics Management Authority has a dual responsibility,” he said. “They are responsible for ensuring that we protect this magnificent World Heritage Area.

“One of the ways you do that is by encouraging people to responsibly go into the Wet Tropics and experience the wonders for themselves.

“It’s a commitment of ours to find those light touch ecotourism opportunities to ensure not only Queenslanders but people around Australia and the world are seeing the Wet Tropics and becoming conservation warriors.”

The minister said he believed eradication of an invasive species in the Wet Tropics was possible.

“Not under a Labor government but we’re going to give it a red hot go,” Mr Powell said.

Originally published as Pressure on federal government to stop aggressive ants march through Far North