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The Albanese Government is renewing its fight against red imported fire ants, approving an unprecedented investment to extend the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Fire Ant Eradication Program.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Agriculture Minister Murray Watt have today an additional Federal investment of $268 million to the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Fire Ant Eradication Program over the next four years, to intensify activities to control and contain this significant pest.

Today’s announcement builds on the $411 million in joint state and federal funding already provided in the past six years.

Australia’s new response plan addresses recommendations of the recent Strategic Program Review and builds on more than two decades of learnings the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Program has developed while delivering the world’s most successful fire ant eradication program.

The new funding will expand the program to include 350 new workers, a new depot, new vehicles, new aerial eradication contracts and an additional 1400 tonnes of bait each year.

It will support the program operations, doubling the size of the treatment and surveillance area-including high-density residential areas.

Fire ants are an aggressive and invasive ant that swarm and inflict painful stings on people, pets and livestock.

They can destroy crops and damage electrical utilities including air conditioners, streetlights and telecommunications networks.

Quotes attributable to Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers:

“Fire ants are a threat to our community, our economy and our kids and that’s why we’re doing everything we can to eradicate this pest.

“Our community in Logan is ground zero in the fight against fire ants and the funding we’re delivering today will enable us to ramp up initiatives we know work.

“I’ve seen firsthand the success of the program’s efforts in slowing the spread rate of fire ants in southeast Queensland, particularly here in my community, in Logan.

“Without the program, fire ants would now infest around 100 million hectares in an arc of country from Bowen in the north, west to Longreach and south to Canberra.

“This is our best chance to eradicate red imported fire ants from Australia.

“If they aren’t eliminated, these ants will quickly migrate across the country and that would cause economic, health and social impacts in excess of $1.25 billion annually, forever.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt:

“This investment demonstrates our strong commitment to eradicate red imported fire ants from our shores.

“It is a big show of support from the Albanese Government to Queensland, which is currently the state most exposed to this pest.

“We will do everything we can to help Queensland and the rest of Australia win this fight.

“Fire ants are one of the world’s worst super pests and have the potential to spread across 97% of Australia.

“They have the potential to do more damage to our agriculture and environment than all of the worst invasive pests combined.

“In July, all Australian agriculture ministers united in their support to fight fire ants and reaffirmed their commitment at the October agriculture ministers meeting.

“This funding delivers the Australian Government’s share of that pledge and sets the stage for all states and territories to deliver their share.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Agriculture Minister Mark Furner:

“A nationally coordinated and decisive response is our best opportunity to eradicate this insidious pest.

“Queensland has been leading the way in responding directly to this issue and we have been successful at limiting the spread to south-east Queensland.

“The national eradication program is being complemented by the Palaszczuk Government’s $37.5 million Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce.

“Last month we launched a fire ant treatment blitz on the Gold Coast which is seeing targeted properties being treated and free fire ant treatment kits distributed.

“We are also working closely with the NSW Government on a cross-border taskforce to stop the further spread of fire ants.”