The Queensland LNP Government is backing Queensland communities and industries to better prepare for pests and diseases, with $210,000 delivered to strengthen biosecurity education and innovation across the State.
Eleven projects have been funded by the LNP through Round 2 of the Biosecurity Boost Grants Program, including biosecurity workshops for mango and berry growers, enhanced biosecurity for remote Indigenous communities, and research to improve the effectiveness of phytophthora surveillance in Queensland.
The grants build on three biosecurity peacetime exercises already funded through the program, helping industry groups strengthen response capabilities for high-priority threats including avian influenza (H5 bird flu), boll weevil, and emergency animal diseases.
It’s just one of the ways the State Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy by ensuring industry is not only aware of risks and how to manage them, but importantly, are able to respond to key biosecurity threats for their sector should the worst happen.
During Labor’s decade of decline, Queensland’s biosecurity safeguards crumbled, the State’s northern-most biosecurity defence line was closed, and between 2015 and 2022 Labor’s biosecurity workforce shrank by one in five.
The Government’s investment is in addition to the landmark election commitment to beef up biosecurity with 100 new biosecurity officers over the first term in office.
Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett said the investment in biosecurity innovation and education was part of rebuilding the State’s frontline against biosecurity threats after a decade of neglect under Labor.
“Strong biosecurity is the linchpin of a productive primary industries sector and regional and rural communities, and I’m pleased to back a suite of projects through this program,” Minister Perrett said.
“Queensland’s biosecurity is strongest when government, industry, and communities work together, and the Biosecurity Boost Grants Program is critical in backing practical projects that will make a real difference.
“Biosecurity threats can have serious impacts on our industries, environment, and communities, which is why the Government is investing in the sector after Labor let our defences fall apart.”
Australian Mango Industry Association will use their grant to hold workshops for growers and CEO Trevor Dunmall said the support will provide practical skills to improve biosecurity planning.
“Our project will support mango growers to develop practical orchard biosecurity plans through information and implementation workshops, so they’re better prepared to prevent, identify and respond to pests and diseases,” Mr Dunmall said.
“The funding will help us build greater awareness across the mango industry and support growers to identify risks early, improve on-farm practices and protect the long-term productivity of their orchards.”
https://cairnsnews.org/2026/06/24/pcr-test-used-to-determine-avian-flu-in-wa-wild-birds/
