Red imported fire ants
Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (14:41): (413) My question is for the minister representing the agriculture minister, who I believe is the Attorney-General. Red imported fire ants are one of our most destructive introduced pests, with significant impacts for recreation, agriculture and infrastructure. The arrival of the red imported fire ant, or RIFA, would seriously impact on our ability to work and play in our backyards, forests, local schools, camp sites, rivers and roads. We only have to look at Texas to see that the cost to farmers there has reached US$1.2 billion every year. So, Minister, how is Victoria contributing to the national effort required to ensure that RIFA are contained to our northern states and does not spread to Victoria?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (14:41): I thank Mr Bourman for his question. I will certainly pass that on to Minister Spence for her answer for you. She can give you a comprehensive briefing. It is something she has been focused on. These are nasty, nasty little things, and we certainly want to keep them out of Victoria for the purposes that you have raised. Not only do they impact agriculture and the economy, your everyday life can be impacted by these critters.
I am aware that the minister has announced $70 million to contribute to the national effort, and that is the full amount that was requested to put everything towards containing these to Queensland. We are quite concerned following the rain events across the country. They make rafts out of themselves and they go down waterways. They are scary, and I know that the Minister for Agriculture is very much focused on this issue and participating in full in relation to the national approach. She has gone up to Queensland to see for herself how important it is that we keep them out of Victoria.
Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (14:43): I thank the Attorney-General for her referral and answer. My supplementary is: what is Victoria doing currently to stop materials that may contain RIFA from crossing into our state?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (14:43): I will allow Ms Spence to give you a comprehensive briefing in relation to the biosecurity measures that are designed to keep fire ants out of Victoria.