Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

I have just indicated to the honourable senator that there will be an inspection to ensure that no pests, no diseases and no soil are present. As I understand it, if those protocols are applied—and there is no reason that they would not be or should not be—there should be the guarantee and the protection that those learned in the sciences in these matters advise us.

In the event that a breakout were to occur—which of course would be something that we would not want to see—I am sure the Queensland and Commonwealth governments would work together in cooperation to ensure that anything that needed to be done would be done. Having said that, there is no expectation or anticipation that there will be such an outbreak, given the scientific evidence and the protocols that are being put in place based on that scientific evidence. (Time expired)