- Queensland to be better protected as the Crisafulli Government delivers a stronger northern most biosecurity defence line, reinforced with eight additional officers and a new base.
- The Cape York Biosecurity Centre in Coen to be re-established following Labor's closure of the facility in June 2023.
- New frontline staff to be stationed across the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York between Cooktown, Weipa and Kurumba.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future and a better lifestyle through a stronger economy after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a stronger northern most biosecurity defence line after Queensland's protections dissolved under the former Labor government during its decade of decline.
The Cape York Biosecurity Centre at Coen, closed by the former Labor government, will be reinstated, as a key facility able to be stood up as and when required to ensure travellers through the area understand their biosecurity obligations and assist to combat emerging threats.
To further strengthen protections in the north, additional biosecurity officers will be stationed across Cooktown, Karumba and Weipa to not only provide proactive compliance and education, but to reduce the risk of biosecurity incursions going unchecked.
It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future by standing firm on its commitment to beef up Queensland's biosecurity frontline, with a renewed focus on far north Queensland as a priority area.
The reinstated defence line will be fortified with eight new staff, increasing the total number of biosecurity and boating and fisheries officers working on the Cape and Gulf of Carpentaria to thirteen.
During a decade of decline under the former Labor government, Queensland was left exposed and vulnerable to biosecurity threats entering from the north, through Labor's callous decision to close the Cape York Biosecurity Centre.
Under Labor's watch, between 2015 and 2022, the biosecurity workforce across the state dropped by 1 in 5, leaving fewer frontline officers protecting Queensland.
The Crisafulli Government's investment will address heightened biosecurity risks presented by the areas including its remoteness, proximity to northern neighbours, unique ecosystems and surveillance challenges presented by remote areas. These factors increase the risk of exotic pests, diseases, and invasive species entering and taking hold undetected.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the Crisafulli Government was delivering to protect Queensland's economy, environment and way of life by beefing up biosecurity with more protections in the north where the risk is greater and by getting more boots on the ground across the State.
"If far north Queensland is left exposed, it could open the door to exotic diseases and pests from Asia and the Pacific that would irreversibility change our environment, devastate our economy, reduce our food production and limit our way of life, a reinstated defense line reduces that risk," Minister Perrett said.
"Biosecurity is the linchpin of our primary industries. It is what keeps industry viable, and that's why the Crisafulli Government takes biosecurity so seriously.
"By expanding our northern biosecurity capacity and strengthening collaborations, surveillance, capability and knowledge sharing, we are reinforcing Queensland's resilience.
"The LNP made an election commitment to strengthen Queensland's biosecurity frontline with an additional $60.9 million investment over 4 years, employing 100 additional frontline biosecurity staff in regional areas."
Member for Cook, David Kempton, said while this benefits the whole state, Far North Queenslanders can rest assured the Crisafulli Government will not leave the region exposed.
"Strong biosecurity is not just about protecting what we have today – it is about safeguarding the future for generations to come," Mr Kempton said.
"This northern defence line will provide protection to the expanding farming industry and confidence for those wanting to invest and open up the region further.
"Labor continues to fail its obligation to protect our sovereign borders as we see incursions by illegal fishing vessels and illegal immigrants. Our community couldn't make sense of Labor's decision to shut down the biosecurity check point that helped travellers do the right thing, recommencing services in the region and increasing staff on the ground will be applauded by locals.
"I am pleased to have worked with Minister Perrett and the local indigenous organisation to be delivering this practical and much needed solution that will not only protect the constituents and industries in my electorate, but Queensland more broadly."
