Weak Leadership and Reckless Incompetence on Fire Ants Puts Lives and Livelihoods at Risk

Member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace is demanding an urgent Albanese Government response to the Senate inquiry into Red imported fire ants in Australia – ‘don’t let this come back to bite us’.

Labor has wasted four months by failing to act on key Senate inquiry recommendations, allowing the eradication zone to explode in size, from Burpengary East to Mount Sylvia, and across the Tallebudgera Valley, to communities as far west as Oakey. Egregiously, we have seen red imported fire ants throughout the 4551 postcode, affecting neighbourhoods in Currimundi, Nirimba and Caloundra West near the Caloundra Aerodrome.

Mr Wallace said that failing to eradicate fire ants puts lives and livelihoods at risk right across Fisher, and the issue has not been taken seriously by the Labor Government, despite a stark and comprehensive inquiry. He highlighted reported estimates that an uncontrolled spread of red fire ants could cost the Australian economy $2 billion a year.

“In yet another display of weak leadership and reckless incompetence, Anthony Albanese and his Labor Government have failed to implement or act on key recommendations given in April, as part of the Senate inquiry’s final report,” Mr Wallace said.

“Critically, the first recommendation was that the Australian Government review the current level of funding with the state governments. Labor hasn’t bothered responding, yet alone investigating or acting on this recommendation,” Mr Wallace added.

“Four months have passed and Labor continues to ignore crucial recommendations, including calls to investigate alternative delivery and funding models; measures to improve transparency and community engagement; and amendments to keep Australian families and their businesses safe from infestation,” Mr Wallace continued.

“Our community deserves reassurance and demands answers. Instead of listening and leading, we have a State and Federal Labor Government which is distracted, deficient, and keeping Queenslanders in the dark,” Mr Wallace said, concluding, “Labor have sat on their hands despite expert advice, public demand, and constant calls from the Liberal National Coalition. Australians deserve better.”

The Invasive Species Council previously warned red imported fire ants were at risk of spreading beyond current containment zones and that parks, farmland, school ovals, playgrounds and beaches were already impacted. Red imported fire ants also kill native species and are harmful to humans.

The National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program strategic review also estimated that at least $200 to $300 million per year was required. Labor’s funding was needed urgently in early 2023, but was delayed until the end of 2023, which put the time-critical response at risk.