Thursday, 18 June 2026

 Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (14:12): (2425) My question is for the Minister for Agriculture. Will the minister demonstrate that the Allan Labor government supports the Victorian horticultural industry by providing financial support for the fruit fly management program from 2026–27 going forward? The Goulburn–Murray Valley fruit fly program has been very successful in what is the centre of horticultural production in Victoria. Independent analysis shows that if the Labor government fails to adequately fund the program, fruit fly numbers will surge and significantly damage fruit production in the area. The fruit fly management governance group are seeking increased funding of about $1 million a year to conduct high-input, area-wide management. The 2026–27 budget papers show that nearly 17 million will be spent on biosecurity in the coming financial year. The Victorian government must put aside $1 million of that for fruit fly management this year and every consecutive year afterward and prioritise this in the final implementation plan for Victoria’s biosecurity strategy.