- New detector dog kennels boost electric ant fight in Far North Queensland.
- Purpose-built 10-kennel facility in Cairns now home to specialised electric ant odour detector dogs.
- The Crisafulli Government delivering better services through a stronger economy and strengthening Queensland's biosecurity frontline after Labor's decade of decline.
The Crisafulli Government is backing Queensland's biosecurity frontline after it was left to deteriorate under the former Labor Government, with a new purpose-built odour detector dog facility in Cairns to strengthen the fight against electric ants in Far North Queensland.
The facility will provide a permanent home for the National Electric Ant Eradication Program's odour detection dogs.
Electric ants are one of the world's most invasive pests and can affect human health and lifestyle, blind pets, damage the environment and have the potential to severely impact agricultural industries.
The new 10-kennel facility's first residents will be Spencer, a springer spaniel, and Macy, a labrador, whose highly specialised detection skills play a critical role in confirming if electric ant infestations have been successfully eradicated.
It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy and standing firm on its commitment to beef up Queensland's biosecurity frontline, with a renewed focus on Far North Queensland as a priority area.
During Labor's decade of decline, the biosecurity workforce was cut by more than 20 per cent between 2015 and 2022, with Labor closing our State's most northern line of biosecurity defence.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the Crisafulli Government was strengthening protections in the north, where biosecurity risks are greatest.
"I have said time and time again that biosecurity is Queensland's first line of defence," Minister Perrett said.
"It's the linchpin of our primary industries, keeping our producers viable and our markets open, and the Crisafulli Government takes it very seriously.
"Electric ants are one of the world's worst invasive pests, which is where dogs like Spencer and Macy are invaluable to the eradication effort.
"They deserve a proper home to work from, and this facility gives the program the capacity to keep that work going for years to come.
"Strong biosecurity underpins our goal of growing primary industries to $30 billion by 2030, and every threat we keep out or stamp out helps our producers get there."
Member for Mulgrave Terry James MP said the new facility would support the team on the ground who are working hard to strengthen biosecuirty in Far North Queensland.
"The Mulgrave area is home to an extraordinary range of native wildlife, and electric ants are a threat to all of it," Mr James said.
"Wherever they take hold, they harm local wildlife, sting people and pets, and make backyards, farms, and bushland a misery.
"It is critical the team on the ground has the resources and facilities needed to support them to keep up the fight and eradicate this pest for good - that's exactly what the Crisafulli Government is delivering.
If you suspect you have found electric ants, you must report them within 24 hours online or by calling Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
