Claire Clutterham (Sturt, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. How is the Albanese Labor government working with states and territories, industry and the community to respond to the detection of H5 bird flu in Australia?

Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) | Link to this | Hansard source

I do want to thank the member for Sturt for that question. I know that she as a South Australian and that other South Australians in this place are particularly concerned about the increasing number of detections of the H5 bird flu in South Australia and indeed right across the country. I know that so many members in this place have engaged because they are concerned about the impact that this will have in our country, and I do want to assure all members that we are taking this very seriously indeed and that we are acting.

In terms of an update, there are currently 236 confirmed or suspected positive detections of the H5 bird flu in Australia—10 in Western Australia, 163 in South Australia, four in New South Wales, one in Queensland and 58 in Victoria. Our technical experts are working around the clock to confirm detections, and I've seen firsthand, at CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong in the last few weeks, just how much they have been working around that clock. As I've said for some time, the arrival of the H5 bird flu in Australia was not unexpected, and we couldn't stop the migratory birds. I've also said very clearly that Australians should expect to see, sadly, more spread and larger numbers of wildlife being affected. We have been really upfront that there will be more large mass mortalities of native birds in Australia.

We've seen the impact that bird flu has had overseas, particularly for wildlife populations, which is why we have been planning. We have invested over $113 million to strengthen our bird flu responsiveness and preparedness. That includes part of our $2 billion in additional biosecurity funding, and it has $25 million that we're also delivering with the states and territories in terms of the current on-ground response for biosecurity resourcing.

Whilst we can't stop the virus spreading amongst the wild birds, we can take action to protect species most at risk. I'm pleased to advise the House that vaccination is now part of that response. Earlier today, alongside the minister for the environment and the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, I announced that the first bird flu vaccines are expected to roll out in coming days on priority native bird species. This is based on an agreed national approach and will be guided by expert scientific advice. It's a targeted approach that will mean states and territories are able to commence vaccination activities, initially focusing on priority species identified by the states and territories. This obviously builds on the work that we are doing with the states and territories and with industry to help manage the response to the H5 bird flu.

I want to finish by reiterating that, at this time, there has been no detections in our poultry or our broader agricultural system and that the risk to human health remains low. I also again want to thank the Australian public for the huge role that they are playing and to remind them that, if you see sick or dead birds or other animals, please do not touch them. Please avoid them. Contact birdflu.gov.au, where you can actually record them and you can get the most up-to-date information in relation to Australia's bird flu incursions.

Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

on indulgence—I'd like to commend the minister for the manner in which she's engaged with the opposition in the manner of the H5 bird flu outbreak. From day one, the minister's office has been available to my office and to members of the coalition to seek information, particularly for those members who have had outbreaks in their own communities, and that is greatly respected and appreciated. I can assure the minister and the government that the coalition will continue to act in a very bipartisan manner to ensure that any of the risks associated with this outbreak are well managed in the interests of not just the incredible Australian wildlife but also our agricultural sector.

I want to thank the chief vet, Dr Beth Cookson, for the briefing she's provided as well, and all the workers on the ground who are doing everything they can to try and prevent further incursions and impacts on our agricultural sector. Like the minister, I want to reassure the Australian public that there has been no impact on the Australian agricultural sector to date. Our poultry sector, our eggs are all safe to eat, and I encourage Australians to keep eating Australian grown products and again reassure the House and reassure the Australian public that the coalition stands willing to assist the government in whatever way possible to try to minimise the impacts. We certainly hope for the best, but we have prepared for the worst, and I want to again thank the minister for her willingness to keep engaging with the opposition in this regard.