Queensland Boosts Biosecurity with New Frontline Heroes

• The Crisafulli Government announces nine new Biosecurity Ambassadors for the Queensland Biosecurity Ambassador Program.
• The Biosecurity Ambassadors will raise awareness, promote best practices, and foster community engagement to protect Queensland from biosecurity threats.
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its election commitment to hire 100 new biosecurity officers this term.
• 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 has announced the state's latest cohort of Biosecurity Ambassadors to help champion the protection of Queensland from plant and animal pests and diseases.

The Queensland Biosecurity Ambassador Program selects key individuals from a variety of backgrounds to play a critical role in raising awareness and encouraging community participation in biosecurity measures.

It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future by working with the community to raise the profile and awareness of the importance of biosecurity across diverse industries in all corners of Queensland.

The nine ambassadors have been selected from across regional Queensland and for the first time, two young ambassadors (aged 18 – 25 years) will take up the role.

The ambassadors will participate in up to four key events, including workshops, community meetings, agricultural shows, and industry conferences over their 18-month tenure.

During the decade of decline under Labor, biosecurity safeguards crumbled across the state, and under Labor the workforce was eroded by more than 20% between 2015 and 2022.

The Crisafulli Government is beefing up biosecurity by delivering on our election commitment to recruit 100 new officers this term of government with 40 new officers already hired and protecting the state.

Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said these nine new champions would strengthen Queensland's biosecurity systems by promoting the principles of Queensland's Biosecurity Strategy in their communities and across a range of industries.

"Our Biosecurity Ambassadors are passionate and engaged people who will join government to inspire others to take action, to protect our state from not only existing, but new and emerging biosecurity threats," Minister Perrett said.

"These ambassadors represent a diverse cross-section of Queensland, including young leaders and regionally based advocates, ensuring a variety of perspectives and voices are heard.

"Biosecurity is the linchpin of Queensland's primary industries, and the work of these new ambassadors will amplify government's reach to raise awareness across industries and our state.

"Their work will help communities better understand the importance of biosecurity in protecting Queensland's industries, environment, and way of life."

"Through their advocacy, our ambassadors will show Queenslanders how everyone has a role to play in protecting our environment, economy, and communities from biosecurity threats."