❓ Question regarding the suspension of agricultural diagnostic services at DPIRD South Perth and the interim arrangements while a new biosecurity centre is being established. The Minister provides updates on prioritisation, staffing, interim protocols, and site selection.
AnsweredQoN 823Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT — DIAGNOSTICS AND LABORATORY SERVICES
823. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I
refer to my question without notice 766 of 19 of June 2024, referencing the
suspension of vital agricultural diagnostic and laboratory services at the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Perth, whilst
welcoming the minister's media statement of 8 August 2024 on the
commissioning of a new state biosecurity centre.
(1) How are high-priority samples from veterinarians
and agronomists currently been triaged through DPIRD; and what are the
implications in sample time frame assessment?
(2) Are any staff physically working at the DPIRD
South Perth facility; and, if so, how many, and in what capacity?
(3) What are the
specific interim diagnostic and laboratory protocols for clients seeking to
engage DPIRD biosecurity services previously delivered from the South Perth
facility whilst the new facility is under construction?
(4) What
metropolitan sites have been identified as suitable for the new centre; and
will the centre open its services incrementally for client use as construction
progresses?
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT — DIAGNOSTICS AND LABORATORY SERVICES
823. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I
refer to my question without notice 766 of 19 of June 2024, referencing the
suspension of vital agricultural diagnostic and laboratory services at the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Perth, whilst
welcoming the minister's media statement of 8 August 2024 on the
commissioning of a new state biosecurity centre.
(1) How are high-priority samples from veterinarians
and agronomists currently been triaged through DPIRD; and what are the
implications in sample time frame assessment?
(2) Are any staff physically working at the DPIRD
South Perth facility; and, if so, how many, and in what capacity?
(3) What are the
specific interim diagnostic and laboratory protocols for clients seeking to
engage DPIRD biosecurity services previously delivered from the South Perth
facility whilst the new facility is under construction?
(4) What
metropolitan sites have been identified as suitable for the new centre; and
will the centre open its services incrementally for client use as construction
progresses?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Critical
laboratory testing is continuing, with reduced capacity and range of testing available.
Testing continues to be prioritised based on diagnostic testing to exclude
notifiable pests and diseases; responses to high-impact pest and disease
threats and incursions; surveillance for priority pests and diseases;
diagnostic testing to support border biosecurity controls and market access;
and critical state and national research priorities.
(2) A small number of staff are
working onsite under approved access protocols.
(3) All client needs are assessed
and managed through direct liaison.
(4) The
department is exploring numerous options for the new site that will be
announced once negotiations and arrangements are finalised. Services will be
reinstated from the new site as soon as possible, with clients updated on
arrangements for service delivery.
Honourable member, as I advised
behind the chair, given that biosecurity is so incredibly important, I gave a comprehensive briefing to the shadow Minister
for Agriculture and Food before making the public announcement , and I have
committed to ensuring that the shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food is
informed of any changes, as required.
some notice of the question.
(1) Critical
laboratory testing is continuing, with reduced capacity and range of testing available.
Testing continues to be prioritised based on diagnostic testing to exclude
notifiable pests and diseases; responses to high-impact pest and disease
threats and incursions; surveillance for priority pests and diseases;
diagnostic testing to support border biosecurity controls and market access;
and critical state and national research priorities.
(2) A small number of staff are
working onsite under approved access protocols.
(3) All client needs are assessed
and managed through direct liaison.
(4) The
department is exploring numerous options for the new site that will be
announced once negotiations and arrangements are finalised. Services will be
reinstated from the new site as soon as possible, with clients updated on
arrangements for service delivery.
Honourable member, as I advised
behind the chair, given that biosecurity is so incredibly important, I gave a comprehensive briefing to the shadow Minister
for Agriculture and Food before making the public announcement , and I have
committed to ensuring that the shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food is
informed of any changes, as required.
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