Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That—

(a) the Senate notes:

  (i) the adverse effect of Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) populations on ecosystems, native species, agricultural communities and human health,

  (ii) the ongoing program since 2001 to eradicate Red Imported Fire Ants,

  (iii) the communique of the Agriculture Ministers Forum held in Auckland, New Zealand on 20 May 2016, which indicated that:

     (A) it remains in the national interest to eradicate the ants and that it is technically feasible and cost beneficial to do so,

     (B) ministers agreed to continue to cost share the RIFA South East Queensland eradication program in 2016-17, in accordance with the nationally agreed 2013-18 Response Plan, and

     (C) funding of a 10-year eradication plan or transition to a management plan for the SEQ Programme will be considered at the next AGMIN meeting, and

  (iv) the right of all Australians to sufficient information to understand the important decision that the agriculture ministers will be making at their next meeting in 2017 on whether the eradication program should continue, the implications of proceeding and not proceeding, the costs involved and the lessons learnt from the program so far; and

(b) there be laid on the table, by the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, by no later than 9.30 am on 1 December 2016, the Independent Review of the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program: Report of the independent review panel.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is leave granted? Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The coalition government is supporting the effort to eradicate red imported fire ants in Queensland. In partnership with all states and territories the government has been addressing the inclusion of these ants in South-East Queensland since 2001. The Commonwealth has already provided over $150 million in assistance. In November 2014 the Agriculture Ministers Forum commissioned an independent review of the eradication program for the red imported fire ant inclusion in South-East Queensland. The review found the eradication of red imported fire ants is still in the national interest.

Question agreed to