The Queensland government is calling for more ongoing funding from the federal government and other states to combat the fire ant problem, as the current $15 million per year program is seen as insufficient. Hundreds of new fire ant sites have been discovered in recent years in Brisbane's southwest. Scientists are demanding an independent review of the fire ant eradication program, claiming the problem has been mismanaged and efforts overstated. An upcoming meeting of decision-makers will discuss the future of the program and funding levels. Experts warn that without better management, the fire ants could spread nationally and cause significant economic damage, as seen in the United States.

1. 14 NEWS SPECIAL INVESTIGATION thesundaymail.com.au
thesundaymail.com.au
Pay up or fire ants
State calls for SNAPSHOT
OF FIRE ANT
TREATMENT
AREA
Boondall
more cash as Brisbane
Oxley
Thornlands
program stalls
Kelmeny Fraser and
Lanefield
Ipswich
Greenbank
Slacks Creek
David Murray
THE war against deadly fire
ants could be lost amid claims
the $250 million program to For a full list of affected suburbs go to
eradicate the pest has been www.thesundaymail.com.au
badly mismanaged.
Scientists say mishandling
of the program has sparked
widespread ‘‘cynicism’’ about
Queensland’s claims to have
the problem under control. FIRE-ANT FACTS
They are demanding an
independent review before a ■ Restrictions cover almost
national disaster develops. 100,000ha of southeast
Efforts to wipe out the pest Queensland
have descended into a blame
game, with Queensland Agri- ■ 307 infested sites found
culture Minister Tim this financial year across 95
Mulherin accusing the Federal suburbs
Government of putting nat-
ional biosecurity at risk ■ 47 per cent of new fire-ant
through years of inadequate sites are in the Ipswich area.
funding of the state’s eradi-
cation program. ■ Incursion points traced to
The State Government has Gladstone, Port of Brisbane
warned the $15 million being and southwest Brisbane.
injected into the problem each
year might not be enough to ■ $21 million spent on fire-ant
stop the species invading other control this financial year.
states and potentially causing
billions of dollars damage to ■ 191 staff working on fire-
the national economy. ant program
‘‘Queensland does not be-
lieve $15 million is sufficient to ■ Efforts concentrated on Logan
fund a fire-ant eradication and Ipswich regions.
program,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
‘‘We need a stronger on- takes any potential threat to Members of the National an independent review of the Swepson, who became a ernment) were continuing to
going funding commitment Australia’s biosecurity Management Group – the key program amid claims the Bligh whistleblower, said the call it an eradication program,
from all states and the Com- seriously,’’ he said. decision-making body on fire Government has overstated its country would pay the price even though it was extremely
monwealth to continue the Queensland receives ants – will meet next month to achievements. for government bungles and compromised and there’s no
eradication program in $15 million a year under nat- consider ‘‘further advice on LNP agriculture spokesman cover-ups. chance we can eradicate it any
Queensland so that we don’t ional funding arrangements to the program’’. Andrew Cripps said the gov- ‘‘We are yet to have a death more, the funding kept coming
see fire ants marching into combat fire ants, with the The meeting could deter- ernment ‘‘does not appear to in Queensland but it’s just a which would give them reason
NSW and Victoria,’’ he said. Bligh Government injecting mine the future direction and be making substantial head- matter of time,’’ she said. for under-reporting,’’ she said.
Federal Agriculture Minis- an extra $6 million this year. funding for the fire-ant pro- way’’. ‘‘We definitely need to Dr Swepson said the extent Experts in the US, where
ter Joe Ludwig said Canberra The stoush has hit a crucial gram, with the group respon- have a good solid look at why of the fire-ant infestation in people die from fire-ant stings
had provided half the point following the discovery sible for deciding on the best the response is not being Queensland has been covered every year, say the state has
$245 million spent on the fire- of hundreds of new infes- combat method. effective,’’ he said. up to stop the Federal Govern- little chance of eradication.
ant program since 2001. tations in Brisbane’s southwest A Campbell Newman-led Former top government ad- ment pulling funding. Fire-ant expert Dr Bart
‘‘The Gillard Government since 2010. LNP government has pledged viser on fire ants Pam ‘‘While they (the State Gov- Drees, from Texas, where
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