Here we go again; the real Opposition doing the dirty work for lazy Labor. And just like the last time, and the time before that, and the time before that, they’re wrong. Just plain wrong.
Contrary to union claims, the recruitment of additional detector dog teams is on track. We are assessing the eligibility of recruited handlers and have already selected one puppy and the assessment of more is underway.
It should be noted how disingenuous the union is being, it was just this morning that the Department met with the union to update them on our initiatives underway across biosecurity, and they said they were heartened by the progress.
Tasmania’s will have a better biosecurity system in place than ever before this summer, because we’re investing more than ever in biosecurity and have new initiatives coming on-line.
In fact, this summer is a season of major firsts:
• For the first time, our new restructured Biosecurity Tasmania is on track to better respond where needs are at any given time with a modern, multi-skilled workforce;
• For the first time, we will have the capacity to target 100 per cent of flights at our major airports with detector dog teams because we have invested $2 million in three additional detector dogs and handlers to protect our island. We are absolutely on schedule with this recruitment process; we are in the process of assessing the suitability of applicants for our specialist dog handlers and we have recruited one puppy, and others are currently being assessed;
• For the first time, the new permanent inspection process for TT-Line passengers will be in place, meaning every vehicle is inspected at Port Melbourne. In trial this doubled the amount of Quarantine Risk Material sized, and we expect good results to continue; and
• For the first time, Authorised Officers are expected to be in place to help some Tasmanian producers to get their produce to market quicker, training is already underway.
We have also put in place an additional 20 casual support officers who will be available to assist where required throughout summer and beyond.
As a Government we take very seriously our responsibility to protect our reputation for producing some of the best produce in the world; it is premium, safe and fresh and we’re committed to keeping it that way.
That’s why we have invested an additional $5 million in biosecurity, strengthening our frontline.
Rene Hidding, Acting Minister for Primary Industries and Water
