Courtney missing in action as fruit fly biosecurity measures continue to fail

• New Minister has nothing to say on larvae discovery in state’s south
• Biosecurity measures still failing
• Is Courtney intending to only handle the good news?
Newly minted Primary Industries Minister Sarah Courtney has already distanced herself from dealing with serious issues in her portfolio area after the discovery of fruit fly larvae in Tasmania’s south.
Shadow Primary Industries Minister Shane Broad said Ms Courtney had failed to mention the latest discovery which was made on Sunday as the Hodgman Government’s on-going biosecurity debacle continued.
“Ms Courtney needs to tell Tasmanians if she deliberately withheld this important information when she held a media conference yesterday about Supercars and made no mention of it,” Dr Broad said.
“Ms Courtney is a Minister now and needs to treat her job with the seriousness it deserves. Her days of doing photo opportunities from the back bench with no accountability are over.
“It’s extremely concerning that fruit fly larvae are still being found in fruit purchased from supermarkets and that vital biosecurity control measures continue to fail.
“What is equally concerning is that the Hodgman Government – despite Ms Courtney failing to even keep Tasmanians informed – is still trying to hose down the seriousness of this issue rather than deal with it with the urgency it needs.
“On top of this latest find in the south of the state, fruit fly larvae are still being found in the control areas which means that flies are completing their lifecycle in Tasmania and may become established here.
“Instead of attempting to bury the issue, it’s time to rethink the strategies that need to be put in place to ensure we can regain Tasmania’s fruit fly free status.
“Ms Courtney may be a new Minister but the Liberals culture of secrecy is well established.
“The lessons learned on the North-West Coast and in the North – including a botched, secretive response from former Minister Jeremy Rockliff – must be heeded to avoid massive risks to Tasmanian jobs and industry.”
Shane Broad MP Shadow Primary Industries Minister