As is their usual way, Labor has deliberately cherry-picked data.
In fact, Biosecurity Tasmania staff have met approximately 93 per cent of flights across all airports in 2015.
But we’re not stopping there, we know we can do better that’s why we are investing an additional $2 million to boost biosecurity with three more detector dog teams.
We are expanding the capabilities of Tasmania’s detector dog teams to levels not seen under the previous Labor Government.
We are increasing detection teams by 50 per cent. Under Labor at best there were only six teams, and under us there will be nine.
The recruitment of the additional dog teams is on track and the new recruits will be on the beat this summer.
We are currently assessing the suitability of applicants for our specialist dog handlers, we have selected one puppy and the assessment of more is underway.
As we’ve said all along, this gives us the capacity to target 100 per cent of flights at major airports with detector dog teams, and increase our presence at our regional airports.
Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Primary Industries and Water
