Red Imported Fire Ants

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:53): Supplementary: is the minister aware of criticisms by stakeholders, academics, local government and community members about the government's program which has been reported as an absolute shambles and they are calling for an independent eradication body and saying it is urgently needed?

The PRESIDENT: It was a broad-ranging answer you gave, minister.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:54): Yes, certainly, Mr President. Although the supplementary wasn't clear, I am assuming that the honourable member is referring when she says 'the government's program' to the implementation by the Queensland government. I know that there have been some discussions around that but there was widespread agreement that the eradication efforts had to continue. If they were paused for such a review, that would likely allow the pest to spread even further and potentially put further regions at risk.