COMMONWEALTH SHORTFALL THREATENS FIRE ANT PROGRAM
Published Friday, 14 September, 2007 at 12:00 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Queensland Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries said today the National Fire Ant Eradication Program was being threatened by the Federal Government reneging on agreed funding.
“The Federal Government has confirmed $10.274 million for the eradication program for the next two years _ a shortfall of $2.268 million on agreed funding,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“Funding is formulated on the basis of Federal Government 50 per cent, states and territories 50 per cent.
“As a result of the Commonwealth’s stand several states have already indicated they will now only match the contribution by the Australian Government.
“If other funding partners follow suit there could be a shortfall of $4.35 million over two years.
“While I am disappointed that the Federal Government is not holding up its end of the bargain, I can’t say that I am totally surprised,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“Like sugarcane smut, with fire ants Queensland is leading the fight against a national threat and everyone surely remembers the Federal Government’s input into recovery from sugar cane smut … zero, absolutely zero.
“Queensland is valiantly battling the fire ant but the reality is that we shouldn’t have to do it without full and agreed to financial support from the Federal Government and other states and territories.
“It’s poor form from the Federal Government because they know in Queensland we won’t abandon the fight against fire ants.
“The issue will be raised at the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council meeting in November. We won’t let it go,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
Media: 49578422.
NB Mr Mulherin will be available between 12.30 and 1.30pm (number above) at his electorate office for any media regarding this issue.
“The Federal Government has confirmed $10.274 million for the eradication program for the next two years _ a shortfall of $2.268 million on agreed funding,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“Funding is formulated on the basis of Federal Government 50 per cent, states and territories 50 per cent.
“As a result of the Commonwealth’s stand several states have already indicated they will now only match the contribution by the Australian Government.
“If other funding partners follow suit there could be a shortfall of $4.35 million over two years.
“While I am disappointed that the Federal Government is not holding up its end of the bargain, I can’t say that I am totally surprised,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“Like sugarcane smut, with fire ants Queensland is leading the fight against a national threat and everyone surely remembers the Federal Government’s input into recovery from sugar cane smut … zero, absolutely zero.
“Queensland is valiantly battling the fire ant but the reality is that we shouldn’t have to do it without full and agreed to financial support from the Federal Government and other states and territories.
“It’s poor form from the Federal Government because they know in Queensland we won’t abandon the fight against fire ants.
“The issue will be raised at the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council meeting in November. We won’t let it go,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
Media: 49578422.
NB Mr Mulherin will be available between 12.30 and 1.30pm (number above) at his electorate office for any media regarding this issue.