Published Tuesday, 04 September, 2007 at 05:08 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE COLLEAGUES FOUND WANTING ON EI
The Federal Government had abrogated its responsibilities on the threat posed by equine influenza and would be found wanting by an Inquiry, Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said today.
Mr Mulherin clearly pointed the finger at the Federal Government, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and AQIS in State Parliament today over their failure to properly warn the states.
“The seriousness of what has become the Australian horse industry’s greatest challenge was conveyed to neither the Queensland Government nor Biosecurity Queensland until early Saturday, August 25.,’’ Mr Mulherin said
“And then it was via Queensland Racing and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
“Yet three days earlier Mr McGuaran issued a press release that said a horse ‘currently being held in quarantine at Eastern Creek in NSW is showing clinical signs consistent with Equine Influenza and blood tests indicate a strong suspicion of a recently acquired infection’.
“And in response today, to a very clear chronolgy of events, the Opposition attempted to shield their federal colleagues from criticism by making outlandish and incorrect statements about DPI&Fs’ role in tackling the equine influenza outbreak.
“Mr Horan can’t even get his Queensland dates right, incorrectly stating that Queensland didn’t introduce a standstill until August 26 and that DPI&F failed to act for three days on Morgan Park. He couldn’t be more wrong.
“Queensland was part of the national standstill declared from a meeting of the Consultative Committee on Emergency Diseases on Saturday, August 26 that came into effect that day.
“Morgan Park was placed into quarantine that same afternoon.
“No matter how much Mr Horan wants to twist the facts, Queensland’s response was swift, responsible and with the best interest of the horse industry in mind in accordance with the national Ausvet plan.
“The reality is that it is the Federal Government and its agencies that has dropped the ball.’’
Media: 32396530
Mr Mulherin clearly pointed the finger at the Federal Government, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and AQIS in State Parliament today over their failure to properly warn the states.
“The seriousness of what has become the Australian horse industry’s greatest challenge was conveyed to neither the Queensland Government nor Biosecurity Queensland until early Saturday, August 25.,’’ Mr Mulherin said
“And then it was via Queensland Racing and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
“Yet three days earlier Mr McGuaran issued a press release that said a horse ‘currently being held in quarantine at Eastern Creek in NSW is showing clinical signs consistent with Equine Influenza and blood tests indicate a strong suspicion of a recently acquired infection’.
“And in response today, to a very clear chronolgy of events, the Opposition attempted to shield their federal colleagues from criticism by making outlandish and incorrect statements about DPI&Fs’ role in tackling the equine influenza outbreak.
“Mr Horan can’t even get his Queensland dates right, incorrectly stating that Queensland didn’t introduce a standstill until August 26 and that DPI&F failed to act for three days on Morgan Park. He couldn’t be more wrong.
“Queensland was part of the national standstill declared from a meeting of the Consultative Committee on Emergency Diseases on Saturday, August 26 that came into effect that day.
“Morgan Park was placed into quarantine that same afternoon.
“No matter how much Mr Horan wants to twist the facts, Queensland’s response was swift, responsible and with the best interest of the horse industry in mind in accordance with the national Ausvet plan.
“The reality is that it is the Federal Government and its agencies that has dropped the ball.’’
Media: 32396530