❓ A parliamentary question regarding the polyphagous shot-hole borer infestation in WA, focusing on the timing of advice regarding eradication viability, departmental involvement, tree removal numbers, and program expenditure. The Minister rejects the premise of biosecurity failure.
AnsweredQoN 403Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Polyphagous shot-hole borer
403. Hon Neil Thomson to
the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the
disastrous biosecurity failure of the polyphagous shot-hole borer infestation
in Western Australia.
(1) On what date was the minister first advised
that the science had changed, meaning that eradication was no longer viable?
(2) When was that advice first drafted in the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development?
(3) How many trees has the program removed since
its inception?
(4) What funds have been spent on the program to
date?
403. Hon Neil Thomson to
the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the
disastrous biosecurity failure of the polyphagous shot-hole borer infestation
in Western Australia.
(1) On what date was the minister first advised
that the science had changed, meaning that eradication was no longer viable?
(2) When was that advice first drafted in the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development?
(3) How many trees has the program removed since
its inception?
(4) What funds have been spent on the program to
date?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. I reject the premise of the
question, as there was no failure in the biosecurity response. I can, however,
advise that:
(1) The national management group made the
decision that polyphagous shot-hole borer was no longer technically feasible to
eradicate on Wednesday 18 June 2025 and I was advised later that day.
(2) This decision was made nationally, not by the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development or the Western
Australian government. The decision by the national management group was based
on the latest scientific advice from the consultative committee on emergency
plant pests—
Hon Neil Thomson interjected.
The President: Order! Minister for Agriculture and
Food.
Hon Jackie Jarvis: Sorry, President; I have lost my
place. I will just start again at (2).
Hon Neil Thomson interjected.
The President: Order! There is no opportunity for
interjection at any time.
Hon Jackie Jarvis: I repeat:
(2) This decision was made nationally, not by the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development or the Western
Australian government. The decision by the national management group was based
on the latest scientific advice from the consultative committee on emergency
plant pests, which includes all chief plant biosecurity officers nationally,
and industry representatives.
(3) Of the approximately 2.9 million trees
inspected, shot-hole borer was detected in approximately 4,800 trees and around
4,500 trees have been removed.
(4) Total expenditure to date is approximately $57
million.
honourable member for some notice of the question. I reject the premise of the
question, as there was no failure in the biosecurity response. I can, however,
advise that:
(1) The national management group made the
decision that polyphagous shot-hole borer was no longer technically feasible to
eradicate on Wednesday 18 June 2025 and I was advised later that day.
(2) This decision was made nationally, not by the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development or the Western
Australian government. The decision by the national management group was based
on the latest scientific advice from the consultative committee on emergency
plant pests—
Hon Neil Thomson interjected.
The President: Order! Minister for Agriculture and
Food.
Hon Jackie Jarvis: Sorry, President; I have lost my
place. I will just start again at (2).
Hon Neil Thomson interjected.
The President: Order! There is no opportunity for
interjection at any time.
Hon Jackie Jarvis: I repeat:
(2) This decision was made nationally, not by the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development or the Western
Australian government. The decision by the national management group was based
on the latest scientific advice from the consultative committee on emergency
plant pests, which includes all chief plant biosecurity officers nationally,
and industry representatives.
(3) Of the approximately 2.9 million trees
inspected, shot-hole borer was detected in approximately 4,800 trees and around
4,500 trees have been removed.
(4) Total expenditure to date is approximately $57
million.
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