Linda White (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I also rise in relation to the additional information tabled on behalf of Senator Canavan. I want to take a few minutes to talk about the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee report on Australia's biosecurity preparedness. This report came at an unprecedented time for Australia. As you've heard from the two previous speakers, we have got two major threats on our doorstep, and, as Senator Whish-Wilson indicated, we also now have varroa mite in New South Wales. This is a situation that has never happened in Australia before, and it certainly has tested everyone who has been affected, both in prevention and, as has been discussed, in attempting to eradicate varroa mite.

The biosecurity inquiry that I was privileged to be a member of was really a great opportunity for many, many organisations to contribute submissions and take time to come to hearings. Many of those organisations, particularly in the bee industry, have a volunteer base, with no full-time staff, but they wholeheartedly contributed to the process. Even some larger organisations only had one full-time employee. But, without a shadow of a doubt, the contributions were thoughtful and considered, and everyone involved took the inquiry extremely seriously because, as we all know, biosecurity matters. It matters to the value and quality of our agricultural products, which we rely on for a whole range of things: for the economic windfall that comes from our exports, the livelihoods of people in rural and regional Australia, food security, and our international reputation and standing.

I want to join previous speakers in commending Minister Watt and the Prime Minister, who acted extremely swiftly in this space to do all that our country could do to implement measures to protect our borders from the threat of FMD and lumpy skin disease. I saw firsthand their work ethic, their dedication and the rapid pace they worked at to make our borders safe and to activate the industries that are so vital to Australia. It's worth remembering that, because of this quick action, our country remains free of foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease, as our Senate report notes.

It is also, I think, incredibly important to understand the hand that was extended to our neighbours, as Senator Sterle has mentioned, to help them in their fight, because lumpy skin disease in particular but also FMD are such threats to our neighbours' agricultural industries. Not only is it in our interest, because we want to have strong borders, but it is our duty to assist them, which this government has been doing.

I want to give an example of what I saw firsthand when I travelled recently to Tatura, which is in dairy country in Victoria. I had the privilege, on behalf of the minister, to address people on these issues during International Dairy Week. I will say that agriculture is not my strong suit, but I was extremely privileged to speak to a very large room full of farmers, breeders and processors about what we're doing in biosecurity and what the report said. This group takes biosecurity extremely seriously. Under the auspices of their peak body, they have convened a range of education opportunities for their members. They have also put a thoughtful, considered and consultative submission into this inquiry. They talk to their industry and they're currently mobilising their industry to ensure they do everything possible to have the best biosecurity strategy possible in that industry.

Talking about the best biosecurity strategies: Minister Watt released the National Biosecurity Strategy last August, and it is the nation's first such strategy. It charts the next 10 years of Australia's biosecurity policy development and, importantly, it bears the signature of every state and territory agriculture minister. That's what we saw at this inquiry: unity of purpose and absolute determination to bring biosecurity to the forefront in our industries. This strategy recognises that our biosecurity system is larger than the sum of its parts, and that our federation requires Commonwealth leadership and better collaboration between state and territory governments in this area of complex policy. However, the Senate committee report also acknowledges that threats to biosecurity are persistent and that it's impossible to operate in a risk-free environment when it comes to biosecurity. We know we must be prepared for threats to emerge, not just as isolated events but presenting themselves concurrently—as I described with the situation we faced last year. In that light, the Senate inquiry also heard evidence about where we need to do better: better cooperation; we need to reinvest in preparedness and detection capabilities; Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia need to broaden their consultations to include all stakeholder across the supply chain; and, importantly, we need a sustainable biosecurity funding model.

These recommendations did not fall on deaf ears. One of the strategies of the new Labor government is to approach our nation's policy challenges with an eye to the long term. For industries which face such significant biosecurity threats, this means committing to sustainable funding which will guarantee the ongoing protection of our agriculture sector. Finding a funding model that works and is sustainable is something the government takes seriously and is committed to. That's why the centrepiece of our agriculture budget was an investment of $134.1 million to bolster Australia's biosecurity system, including livestock traceability, frontline preparedness, and measures like detector-dog handlers and funding for Animal Health Australia. This is a substantial down payment on the election commitment to fund biosecurity properly and sustainably in Australia.

We will all reap the benefits of a strong biosecurity system, and that system is only as strong as its weakest link—or its most confused state border: New South Wales bees fly over the border, not realising that there is one, unfortunately! Taken together, the Senate biosecurity inquiry report and the National Biosecurity Strategy set out a strong manifesto for how the new Australian government intends to operate in the space of biosecurity and agriculture. The 29 recommendations made in the Senate biosecurity inquiry report, which I personally support, are currently being considered by the government, and the six priority areas to achieve greater cooperation and preparedness laid out in the national strategy echo the tone of these recommendations.

Good policy is the result of listening. To that end, the government will be consultative, partnering with industry, the community and state and territory governments to make sure the harmful impact of threats are closely monitored, and to make sure we can develop a sustainable and forward-looking biosecurity policy for the agricultural sector. I'm a new senator, and agriculture and biosecurity are not my strong suit, but I valued the immense opportunity to learn firsthand from the experts who we saw and the industry people who live with this threat on a daily basis. It was a privilege. It caused me to think about issues that I know nothing about, but I also saw firsthand the vital industries that are the backbone of Australia.

Biosecurity is everybody's issue. It's important that people read this report and also talk to those people in the industry. I know that Minister Watt will continue to do that. I look forward to having the opportunity again to work with great colleagues on this RRAT committee. It was entertaining, interesting and incredibly important. I thank the Senate. I seek leave to continue my remarks later.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.