THE ACT will contribute more than $5 million towards the eradication of red imported fire ants in Australia.
The ACT government is committing to its full allocation to support the new national action.
The Invasive Species Council has welcomed the ACT Government’s contribution and called on Victoria, WA, SA and Tasmania to urgently step up with their share of funding.
‘The ACT have now joined NSW, Queensland and the federal government in committing their fair share toward the current four year, $592 million fire ant eradication funding agreement, says advocacy manager for the Invasive Species Council, Reece Pianta,
“But there is still a $135 million hole in the current program’s funding because of bureaucratic delay and dithering by Victoria, WA, SA and Tasmania.
‘Fire ants are one of the world’s worst super pests and, if they are allowed to spread across the continent, their impact will be greater than cane toads, rabbits, feral cats and foxes combined.
“They will devastate Australia’s environment and agriculture, cost our economy billions annually and we could see over 140,000 extra medical visits every year as they sting Australians at the park or in the backyard.
“It doesn’t matter if you are in Perth or Penrith, Bendigo or Byron Bay, the whole of Australia will be invaded if fire ants are not eradicated in south-east Queensland.
“It’s in the interests of every state in Australia to urgently fund the eradication efforts in Queensland and now in NSW.
“Earlier this year, Victoria intercepted a fire ant Queen on a freight pallet from Queensland. Victoria is lucky the system caught it this time, but every year we fail to eradicate these super pests, increasing the odds they will sneak into other parts of Australia.
“Fire ants were also found in Fremantle, WA in 2019. This infestation was declared eradicated in October 2023.”
The ACT Government is also assessing the requirement to introduce restrictions under the Pest Plants and Animals Act 2005 for the import of organic material such as mulch, woodchips, compost, sand, gravel, soil, hay and other baled products from infected areas of NSW and south-east Queensland.
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