Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt
Northern Territory Minister for Agribusiness and Fisheries, The Hon Paul Kirby MLA
A new Northern Australian Coordination Network will be established by the Albanese Government to help manage the threat of lumpy skin disease (LSD) and foot and mouth disease (FMD).
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said the $4.33 million network would bring together the Australian, Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia governments and northern livestock industry associations to improve Australia's surveillance and preparedness coordination.
The Northern Australian Coordination Network will deliver on-the-ground activities, in partnership with key industry groups to provide information to everyone on how to identify these diseases and how to report it quickly
Communication and information activities will run concurrently with existing preparedness activities, such as enhanced screening in airports, public awareness campaigns and assistance for Indonesia and work with Timor Leste on sentinel herds.
The Northern Australian Coordination Network will be established for an initial two-year period.
There will be a lead government coordinator employed by the Northern Territory Government, with northern representatives also employed by WA and Qld governments.
The Network will also include a lead industry coordinator employed by the NT Cattlemen's Association.
