Joint media release: Boosting national biosecurity response capability for H5 avian influenza (bird flu)

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins MP
Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator the Hon Murray Watt

The Albanese Labor Government continues to deliver targeted investments to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity, with $12 million to bolster response capability for a potential outbreak of H5 bird flu.

The funding is being provided to states and territories to purchase critical equipment including mobile laboratories, drones and response trailers to enable rapid mobilisation in the event of an outbreak, including in remote settings.

Funds are also being invested in humane depopulation, decontamination and disposal equipment, with an emphasis on preventing the spread of disease, and ensuring the humane handling of animals on-farm.

This funding is part of the Albanese Labor Government’s $100 million investment to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response capability to H5 bird flu.

National Biosecurity Week, which kicks off today, highlights the important role of biosecurity in protecting our way of life, our valued environment and industries from threats.

The Albanese Labor Government will never compromise on biosecurity.

Since the 2022 election, the Government has committed over $2 billion in additional resourcing to Australia’s biosecurity.

This investment reverses the funding cliff for biosecurity that the government inherited from the Coalition.

Our biosecurity systems are world-renowned for good reason – Australia remains one of few countries free from the world’s most invasive pests and diseases thanks greatly to the success of these systems.  

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:

“Australia remains the only continent free from H5 bird flu, but the movement of wild birds poses an ongoing risk to our country, and an outbreak of the disease would have major consequences for Australia’s wildlife and poultry sector.

“That is why the Albanese Labor Government is investing $100 million to strengthen our surveillance, preparedness and response capability to H5 bird flu, to protect Australia’s agricultural industries and wildlife.

“National Biosecurity Week is a good reminder that biosecurity is a shared responsibility, with this $12 million to strengthen our nation-wide response capabilities to H5 bird flu, as part of our strong partnership with state and territory governments.

“This is another way the Albanese Labor Government is strengthening Australia’s biosecurity system.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt:

“Australia’s commitment to biosecurity is crucial when it comes to preventing the introduction and spread of pests, diseases, and weeds, both domestically and internationally.

“Every Australian has a role to play in protecting our unique flora and fauna by reporting sick wildlife or anything unusual.

“The Albanese Government is doing our share in preparing for a potential H5 bird flu outbreak, by equipping local authorities with the tools they need, ramping up monitoring and early detection efforts in wild populations and protecting native threatened species in captivity.”