05/04/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/03/2021 20:33
The Coalition Government will bolster its commitment to protect Australian agriculture and regional communities.
A new $371 million biosecurity package strengthens Australia's ability to keep out exotic pests and diseases, and improve our ability to fight an outbreak.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government is stepping up efforts to stop threats such as African swine fever, khapra beetle and foot and mouth disease entering Australia.
'Protecting our borders is as much about protecting our livestock, crops and environment from diseases that have the potential to devastate them and the livelihoods they support, as it does the health of Australians during COVID-19 or protecting Australia's national security,' the Prime Minister said.
'Australia's biosecurity system protects $42 billion in inbound tourism, $53 billion in agricultural exports and 1.6 million Australian jobs across the supply chain.
'This investment is about building a protective ring around Australia to safeguard our industry as well as the rural and regional communities that depend on it. There will never be zero risk but we are committed to reducing the risk where possible.
'We need to make sure agriculture continues to play a leading role in our national economic recovery.'
The package comes after a record $888 million investment in biosecurity and export services in 2020-21 and includes:
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the package is comprehensive.
'It complements the reforms we are implementing across our biosecurity system, to make it modern, efficient and keep Australians safe,' Minister Littleproud said.
'Those reforms include investment and business improvements to address recommendations made by the independent Inspector-General of Biosecurity, including efforts to manage the unique public health risk posed by passengers and crew on arriving international vessels.
'We are investing in technical solutions to keep biosecurity threats out of Australia, including through new screening technologies for people and goods at the border.
'We will fund a series of ground-breaking trials to screen for biosecurity risks offshore and continue the development of modern, innovative detection systems.
'We are investing in better management of hitchhiker pest risk before they reach Australia, through expanding offshore management of risks and strengthened border interventions of shipping containers, while ensuring the safe, efficient clearance of low-risk commodities.
'Building community and industry awareness of our biosecurity system is also essential to ensuring the effectiveness of the system.
'This is why we are investing to increase importers' and individuals' understanding of their role in the system, including through a new biosecurity brand and targeted biosecurity campaigns.
'This package demonstrates our commitment to our agricultural sector and unique environment.'
Fast facts:
Full details of all measures are available at www.awe.gov.au/budget.