Leading advocates have criticised the federal government’s response to a senate inquiry into fire ant eradication efforts following predictions the pest would kill almost five Logan residents every decade.
The Australian government has released its response to a 2023 senate enquiry that produced 10 recommendations – including an increase in transparency and funding, and the creation of an independent agency, among other improvements.
The government said it supported three of the recommendations fully, and three others in principle.
But the Invasive Species Council says the government “missed the point” of the inquiry.
“The evidence at the senate inquiry was clear that the current level of resourcing is not sufficient to eradicate this super pest,” the council’s advocacy manager Reece Pianta said.
“This was an opportunity for the government to ensure fire ant eradication was on track.
“Instead, they hit the pause button until after the next federal election at the end of 2025.
“This is extremely disappointing.”
Data from The Australia Institute released in September predicted almost one Logan resident would die every two years due to a fire ant sting if the pests are not eradicated.
The same predictions suggest the ants could cost the Logan community more than $13 million per year.
“If allowed to spread, each year fire ants will burden our health system with 650,000 extra medical appointments and over $2 billion in economic costs [federally],” Mr Piantia said.
“Fire ants already threaten koala sanctuary areas in Queensland and the Threatened Species Commissioner has warned iconic echidna, platypus and turtle populations could decline from fire ant infestations.
‘The senate recommended an urgent review of funding and resourcing, yet the federal government is holding back on this until after next year’s election.
“They have also refused recommendations for a more robust fire ant suppression program.
“Right now numbers are skyrocketing due to a lack of personnel, bait and equipment for suppression.”
The government claims it has almost doubled the workforce to facilitate increased treatment and surveillance of fire ants, established two more storage depots and work hubs, incorporated more effective eradications methods using helicopters and drones, and increased community engagement.
