Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Last week I was with Minister Joyce, the Deputy Prime Minister, on the Tiwi Islands, and I had a report from Mr Rioli, one of the rangers there. He had found a mango hopper and he was delighted to tell me the news that we are building a new biosecurity laboratory in Darwin. So, when he finds these new creatures that are a threat to the north, instead of having to go all the way down south, the level of amenity provided by this laboratory will enable the identification of this pest, particularly, but also pathogens and diseases that are going to threaten the north. Again, our investment in the ranger groups is a huge amount of funds but, most importantly, 2,500 individuals, many of whom are across the north, are looking after the biosecurity of Australia and ensuring we can protect the north. (Time expired)