Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

In a media release from the Leader of the Nationals today, accompanying the identical words by some other members of the opposite side, there is a claim that I have plans to import live foot-and-mouth virus into Australia. The government has repeatedly stated, as have I, that the only circumstances where bringing a live virus into the country would be contemplated would be if an outbreak had already occurred, in which case the question would be asked of the veterinary authorities whether or not it was required to best conduct an eradication program—and they are the only circumstances. I will table the media releases.

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