Biosecurity

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:35): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to addressing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries regarding biosecurity.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: Last week, the federal government removed the sanitation mats from Australian airports. This included the removal of the simple biosecurity measure from Adelaide Airport. These mats are designed to sterilise the sole of footwear and prevent disease incursions, such as foot-and-mouth disease, from getting into Australia. This measure was removed all while the federal agriculture minister sought to introduce a new tax on farmers in the form of a biosecurity protection levy and has mandated sheep and goat EID in an attempt to, and I quote from the minister, 'ramp up our biosecurity measures'. My questions to the state minister are:

1. What risk assessment has her federal counterparts undertaken prior to the removal of the sanitation mats at Adelaide Airport in the lead-up to the school holidays?

2. Is the minister concerned that the removal of sanitation mats from Australian airports may send the wrong message to travellers entering the country from international destinations of high risk?

3. Has the state minister or her department sought to meet with Adelaide Airport Ltd management to consider reintroduction to help reduce the risk of disease incursion?

4. If there is a change in incursion threat, what processes are in place for the state government to reintroduce increased biosecurity measures, such as sanitation mats?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:37): I thank the honourable member for her question. I have become aware only today of the removal of the sanitation mats. It is a federal decision. I understand it's to do with the fact that the numbers of foot-and-mouth disease in Indonesia have stabilised. However, that's the extent of the information I have at the moment. It is a federal matter. I am happy to seek additional information from my department.