Invasive species

Question

1. The Government has rebranded the Saving Native Species Fund as 'Protecting Australia's Native Species' - According to the 2026-27 Budget, 'The Government will provide additional funding of $110.8 million over two years from 2026-27 to continue activities to protect native species and Australia's biodiversity.' a. Doesn't this represents a 27% fall in annual funding, from $64 million to $46.8 million in 2027-28? b. Is protecting native species from wild pest infestation something the Government considers important? 2. Environmental biosecurity funding has been frozen at $850,000 per year since 2018. In real terms, this is a sustained cut. a. Why has the Government done an effective real cut of this program at a time threats are growing? 3. Fire ant funding runs out next year and there is no long-term commitment in place. a. What long term commitment is in place for controlling fire ants? 4. The Supporting Communities Manage Pest Animals and Weeds Program has not been renewed. The program funded national coordination for wild dogs, feral deer, feral pigs, rabbits, feral cats and foxes - it received $49 million over four years, then an $11 million one-year extension, and is now simply gone. a. What is the Government's plan to manage wild pests? 5. The National Wild Dog Action Plan loses funding on 30 November - halfway through a plan designed to run to 2030. Wild dogs cost agriculture $302 million per year. Rabbits cost $197 million. a. What is the Government's plan to manage wild dogs? 6. The inaugural national rabbit coordinator position also expires late 2026, what is the replacement plan? 7. Due to the rising cost of aviation fuel the Invasive Species Council estimates a 10% decline in program outputs - fewer flight hours, fewer animals removed - even in funded programs. Is there a Government plan to address this?

Answer

Please see the attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000645.pdf (opens in a new tab)