During this session, basic answers were provided, but little interest was shown in understanding the potential environmental catastrophe at hand. I was simply referred to the department’s submission to the fire ant inquiry. When I posed questions, Officials showed minimal interest in providing answers. They frequently redirected questions to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and appeared unaware of the gravity of the issues raised. Some of the questions were taken on notice, but I was offered little substantive information.
It was clear that they were not fully informed on their responsibilities and showed little genuine concern for environmental protection.
It seems that most of the current problems, such as fire ants, fire blight in apples, the banana mould, white spot on prawns etc are because we let too much crap come into the country. It makes no sense that we import apples, oranges and cherries etc when we produce them ourselves. In recent decades we have had farmers ploughing their orchards into the ground because we let overseas products come in and they can’t compete because of all the regulations they have to follow. Some years ago a friend of my parents said he had to get out of the dried fruit business because while he had to follow all the health regulations, the same product coming in from Turkey was exempt. How does that make sense?
So fire ants are the result of government ineptitude in letting anything in. But they prevented Australian citizens coming home during the recent scamdemic because they were a “biosecurity risk”. There is enough bovine excrement in that little lot to fertilise 1000 acres!
I thought this problem had structure and solutions put into place, back in late 1990s’ (or earlier) in Queensland??
It seems that issues like fire ants and other environmental problems are swept under the carpet because this government only wants to waste our tax dollars on useless other pet projects , as our hobby government don’t give a rats ar$e .
I can remember when fire ants were known to be in the Burnett Region and now they are in Gold Coast marching south .
This government are not allocating funds appropriately and running the country as is necessary of a government .
Block their access to spending our taxes and kick these despicable lowlifes out .