Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Watt. Australia has had its first confirmed cases of H5N1 bird flu, a disease that has devastated wildlife populations overseas and will not be able to be eradicated once it takes hold in Australia. It puts endangered species—such as the black swan, the black cockatoo and the sea lion—at even greater risk of extinction. Will the government back calls from experts and conservation groups for a $200 million two-year boost to wildlife resilience, coastal habitat protection and an invasive species control program?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks, Senator Hanson-Young. Thanks also for flagging your intention to ask this question when we crossed paths in the corridors earlier today. Just before I came to the chamber for question time, I did some further media updates with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, who's doing a fantastic job leading, on behalf of the federal government, our response to the now two confirmed cases of the highly dangerous strain of H5 in Australia. People would have seen, late last week, we had the first case of that strain confirmed. Just today, we've had confirmation of the second case of H5N1.

Of course, this is a very serious matter, and we are treating it seriously. But we do need to remember that, at this point in time, we only have two confirmed cases. That's a good thing, and, of course, we want to see it stay that way. But we recognise that this poses a serious threat to wildlife in Australia and, potentially, to the agriculture sector as well. And it's because of the scale of that threat that the Albanese government has invested $113 million already in preparedness efforts to ensure that we are as well prepared as possible for an outbreak of H5N1 coming to our shores.

To some extent, it was always inevitable that this strain would reach Australian shores. We are the only continent in the world that has not yet had this strain on our shores, and it is spread primarily by migratory birds. So it's quite remarkable, in fact, that we have not had this strain hit Australian shores so far. But we are well prepared. From my department's point of view, we have already undertaken a susceptibility analysis to properly understand the species that are at most risk of being infected, and that work has informed where our funding has gone—for captive breeding programs, for planning by state governments and for a range of other preparedness work.

Senator Hanson-Young may want to take political shots at this, but I note the response from the Invasive Species Council saying that never before in history has an— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson-Young, first supplementary?

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

The government, of course, has warned about the impact of this virus on Australia's agriculture. But what modelling has the government done on the impact that this is going to have on Australia's native species and our wildlife? How many of our endangered species will be pushed to the brink of extinction if this virus takes hold?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) | Link to this | Hansard source

I take offence at the suggestion that this government, or I personally, would push a species to extinction, which is the way Senator Hanson-Young phrased that question. But we understand that the Greens will always take a political opportunity when it arises.

As I was saying, my department—well before this event occurred—had undertaken a susceptibility analysis to identify the species at greatest risk from this virus. That is why we have then invested $113 million, including $11 million in this year's federal budget, to ensure that we're prepared. Now, as I was saying when my time ran out, while Senator Hanson-Young and the Greens party might want to take a political opportunity here, let's look at what the Invasive Species Council has had to say about this—a group that's actively involved in this effort. I quote them as saying:

Never before in history has an environmental biosecurity issue been offered this level of funding for preparedness.

So, while the Greens might want to grandstand and take political potshots, environmental groups like the Invasive Species Council recognise the effort that's been undertaken and have worked with us constructively in that regard. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson-Young, second supplementary?

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

One in six Australian bird species already is threatened with extinction. Australia has the highest rate of mammal extinction in the world because of habitat loss, climate change and other human impacts. When will you implement a moratorium on the clearing of critical habitat, given the bird flu issue and the fact that we're going to see our animals pushed to the brink of extinction?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson-Young asks me what the government is doing around the clearing of habitat, and Senator Hanson-Young must not remember that, only about six months ago, the Greens political party supported legislation that the government passed for environmental law reform. One of the key aspects of that legislation was to ensure that habitat is protected for threatened species and others.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson-Young?

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, President. Bring the minister back to the question. Maybe I needed to be more specific. What are you doing to stop the clearing of Alcoa?

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson-Young, I have warned you before about using points of order to make political statements. You are out of order. The minister is responding to your question, and I invite the minister to continue.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) | Link to this | Hansard source

As I was saying, it wasn't that long ago that the Greens party, including Senator Hanson-Young, Senator Waters and everyone else sitting around them, supported legislation that this government passed through this Senate—the most far-reaching environmental law reform that Australia has seen for 25 years and that delivers a balanced package of stronger protections for our environment and also faster and simpler assessment and approval processes that will deliver the habitat protection that our threatened species deserve. In the meantime, we're not going to be doing political grandstanding—

like certain people who are yelling out over there; we're going to get on with the job of making sure we keep our species safe. (Time expired)