Anthony Albanese has reaffirmed the Indonesian border will remain open

Despite rising concerns over a foot and mouth outbreak on Australian shores, Anthony Albanese says closing the border is not the answer.

Anthony Albanese is standing strong on his refusal to shut the border between Australia and Indonesia, despite building concerns over foot and mouth disease.

With Indonesian authorities appearing to have lost control of the virus as it spreads across 22 provinces, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt has handed down sweeping powers to biosecurity officers to keep the disease out of the country.

The Prime Minister said the actions were the “strongest ever measures introduced by an Australian government” to deal with an outbreak of the deadly virus, which could see an $80bn wipe-out of the Australian livestock industry.

The Indonesia outbreak of foot and mouth disease has spread to 22 provinces, threatening to devastate the livestock industry if not eradicated. Photo: Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images

Despite calls from opposition leader Peter Dutton, and the Nationals, to close the border to the popular holiday destination, Mr Albanese said such a move was not yet necessary.

The Prime Minister said Mr Watt was doing “everything within our power to stop this disease coming into Australia which of course would have a severe impact on our economy”.

“What we’re trying to avoid is an impact by definition on our trade. And you don’t do that by just jumping to a position that the former government never, ever implemented,” he told Sky News on Sunday morning.

“No coalition government has implemented the strong measures that we have announced and put in place during this current issue as it’s been rolled out.”

Federal Minister agriculture Murray Watt has handed down strict border security measures to Australian biosecurity officers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Mr Albanese said the measures introduced had been backed by the National Farmers Federation as well as other farming organisations.

“I thank them for the co-operation, the advice and engagement that they’re having with the government,” he said, labelling the issue “absolutely critical.”

Mr Watt invoked powers on Friday to allow biosecurity officers in Australian airports to order travellers to remove their shoes or walk over sanitation mats as they return from hot spots such as Bali.

“It’s important to note that Australia is foot and mouth disease free, that our products continue to be available to the world,” Mr Albanese said.

“And it’s important that we try to do everything that we can to maintain that position.”

Originally published as Anthony Albanese has reaffirmed the Indonesian border will remain open