Glenn Lazarus (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a)   recognises the damaging impact of yellow crazy ants in northern Queensland on:

(i)   rainforests, including a 60 hectare World Heritage Area within an 800 hectare infestation south of Cairns,

(ii)   ecotourism,

(iii)   farming, including the infestation of 230 hectare of sugarcane,

(iv)   Australian wildlife and pets, including many endangered species endemic to northern Queensland rainforests,

(v)   the health of residents, including the risk of temporary blindness if sprayed in the eye with formic acid,

(vi)   the safety of schools,

(vii)   the liveability of the region, and

(viii)   property values; and

(b)   calls on the Government to urgently commit funding to the Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program to fund it for 3 years past June 2016.

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Glenn Lazarus (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have travelled through Cairns and the region and have walked deep into the rainforests, and I have seen firsthand the damage yellow crazy ants are doing to our environment, our wildlife, the lives of people and the value of our properties. These little but mighty dangerous ants run fast, spit acid, travel in huge clumps and destroy everything in their path. They blind large animals, destroy our habitat and cause blindness in people. Unless the pest is eradicated it is going to cause further unbelievable damage to our country. I appreciate that they sound like a small problem but, when you see the damage that these ants cause, you will realise the extent of the problem. This is what happens with many introduced pests. The destruction is not recognised until it is on our doorstep and too late to stop. The ants can and must be eradicated, and a small amount of federal funding from 1 July 2016 will do this.

I would also like to acknowledge the amazing work of Lucy Karger and Frank Teodo in fighting this cause. You are extraordinary Australians.

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

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to 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.

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make an extremely short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Australian Greens, I rise in strong support for funding to eradicate the yellow crazy ant from this most precious World Heritage area, which brings in $426 million in tourism revenue every year and is a World Heritage icon of international significance. The funding is due to run out in June. I have been writing to both the state and the federal governments for almost three years now begging for this funding to be secured and extended. We commend this motion.

Question agreed to.