Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The government is not opposed to the intent of this motion. We acknowledge the severity of the yellow crazy ant infestation in the wet tropics World Heritage area and are taking action now. We have committed close to $4 million dollars to protect the wet tropics against yellow crazy ants. This includes deploying 10 Green Army projects with up to 100 participants working to combat yellow crazy ants in and around the wet tropics. I acknowledge the passionate advocacy by Senators McGrath and Macdonald and the member for Leichhardt, Mr Warren Entsch, on behalf of their constituents in this matter. I can assure senators that the Turnbull government is doing all we can and we are considering what more can be done. However, it is now time for the Queensland government to come to the table, to take this issue and to urgently match our investment so that yellow crazy ants are eradicated from the wet tropics.