House debates

Wednesday, 3 August 2022

Statements by Members

Sheepvention, Biosecurity: Foot-and-Mouth Disease

1:57 pm

Photo of Dan TehanDan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | | Hansard source

For the first time in two years, Sheepvention took place in Hamilton, after a two-year hiatus. Hamilton was able to showcase everything that's wonderful about sheep, about lambs, about wool—and all the innovation that goes into it. Over 3,000 school students were going to visit over the three days so they could learn about the importance of agriculture and the wealth that it provides into our community and how it sustains our community. But there was also concern from all those who participated in Sheepvention, and I'm glad the Prime Minister is here for this 90-second statement, because FMD is still hanging over the heads of everyone. FMD is still a grave concern right across Western Victoria. The question my constituents have is about the risk rating for the chance of an FMD outbreak, which has gone from nine to 11 per cent. Prime Minister, when will that risk rating start to come down? When will you be able to inform us that that risk rating, which has gone from 9 to 11 per cent, is starting to come down? We need more transparency. We need more accountability on the possibility of an FMD outbreak in Australia.

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.