❓ Mr Rundle questions the Premier about the government's response to the polyphagous shot-hole borer outbreak, alleging a slow and inadequate response. The Premier defends the government's actions, highlighting the extensive resources and coordination involved in the eradication program.
AnsweredQoN 612Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POLYPHAGOUS SHOT-HOLE
BORER
612. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I add my congratulations to the
Leader of the House, my counterpart. I say well done on his 23-year career.
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
lacklustre approach to biosecurity and the ongoing spread of polyphagous
shot-hole borer.
(1) Why have our
local government leaders had to head the charge in the fight against this
massive threat to our tree canopy and fruit growers?
(2) Why has it
taken so long for the government to wake up to the threat?
BORER
612. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I add my congratulations to the
Leader of the House, my counterpart. I say well done on his 23-year career.
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
lacklustre approach to biosecurity and the ongoing spread of polyphagous
shot-hole borer.
(1) Why have our
local government leaders had to head the charge in the fight against this
massive threat to our tree canopy and fruit growers?
(2) Why has it
taken so long for the government to wake up to the threat?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for the question, although I do not thank him for the
inaccuracies and, quite frankly, the misinformation that was inherent in his preamble.
It is simply not factual to refer to a lack of response by the government to
the shot-hole borer invasion.
The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is working around the
clock to eradicate this unprecedented pest. It is part of a nationally
coordinated and funded biosecurity response. Since August 2021, which is three
years ago, DPIRD response staff have inspected more than 1.8 million trees on
over 60 000 properties. This makes it the biggest surveillance program in the
department's history.
The Armadale, Kwinana, Mundaring,
Rockingham and Serpentine Jarrahdale local governments have been added to the
quarantine area. It now captures all 30 local government areas across the
entire Perth metropolitan area and covers a total
of 6 418 square kilometres. This program involves significant resources from the state government. Obviously, we expect local governments to play their
role as part of the detection and eradication process.
Of course, we saw misinformation from
those opposite when they said that the shot-hole borer had spread to Harvey.
Dr D.J. Honey : The Shire of
Harvey said it. It did not come out of the ether.
Several members interjected.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Members!
Mr R.H. COOK : We will consult
with the scientists about this matter. As I said, it is a national program that
is informed by national science about the appropriate ways to respond to this
situation. I urge those opposite to not enter into political opportunism, be
alarmist or make inaccurate claims. I ask them to be responsible members of
Parliament as we, as a community, all work together on this issue.
This continues to be an important
issue for the department. It is consuming a lot of resources, and it is a single
focus because we understand the threat that it represents to Western Australia's
biosecurity. We did not create the problem, but we are part of the solution.
Everyone has their own role to play.
thank the member for the question, although I do not thank him for the
inaccuracies and, quite frankly, the misinformation that was inherent in his preamble.
It is simply not factual to refer to a lack of response by the government to
the shot-hole borer invasion.
The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is working around the
clock to eradicate this unprecedented pest. It is part of a nationally
coordinated and funded biosecurity response. Since August 2021, which is three
years ago, DPIRD response staff have inspected more than 1.8 million trees on
over 60 000 properties. This makes it the biggest surveillance program in the
department's history.
The Armadale, Kwinana, Mundaring,
Rockingham and Serpentine Jarrahdale local governments have been added to the
quarantine area. It now captures all 30 local government areas across the
entire Perth metropolitan area and covers a total
of 6 418 square kilometres. This program involves significant resources from the state government. Obviously, we expect local governments to play their
role as part of the detection and eradication process.
Of course, we saw misinformation from
those opposite when they said that the shot-hole borer had spread to Harvey.
Dr D.J. Honey : The Shire of
Harvey said it. It did not come out of the ether.
Several members interjected.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Members!
Mr R.H. COOK : We will consult
with the scientists about this matter. As I said, it is a national program that
is informed by national science about the appropriate ways to respond to this
situation. I urge those opposite to not enter into political opportunism, be
alarmist or make inaccurate claims. I ask them to be responsible members of
Parliament as we, as a community, all work together on this issue.
This continues to be an important
issue for the department. It is consuming a lot of resources, and it is a single
focus because we understand the threat that it represents to Western Australia's
biosecurity. We did not create the problem, but we are part of the solution.
Everyone has their own role to play.
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