- The Crisafulli Government is delivering stronger biosecurity by growing workforce across the State with 50 new officers already appointed.
- New hires mark the halfway point in delivering landmark election commitment to boost biosecurity ranks with 100 additional officers this term of government.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy after the former Labor Government deserted regional Queensland and slashed animal welfare and biosecurity roles during their decade of decline.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a bolstered biosecurity frontline after it was left to deteriorate under the former Labor Government, with 50 new biosecurity officer roles already recruited across Queensland.
A key Crisafulli Government election commitment was made to strengthen the State’s biosecurity workforce by investing $50 million to hire 100 new officers over four years, and the latest recruits are a significant milestone in delivering on that promise.
It’s just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy by ensuring Queensland has a robust biosecurity frontline after the workforce was eroded during Labor’s decade of decline.
Right across Queensland, our 50 new biosecurity officers are strengthening Queensland’s defences against biosecurity threats all over the state.
The new officers are taken up positions in Bamaga, Biloela, Rockhampton, Emerald, Gayndah, Cairns, Charters Towers, Townsville, Bowen, Mareeba, South Johnston, Boogan, Garbutt, Toowoomba, Charleville, Kingaroy, Gatton, Nambour, Dalby and Roma regions.
During Labor’s decade of decline, the biosecurity workforce was cut by more than 20 per cent between 2015 and 2022, and Labor closed our State’s most northern line of biosecurity defence.
The Crisafulli Government is committed to growing the value of primary production to $30 billion by 2030 and stronger biosecurity safeguards will underpin the state and its many primary producers in reaching this ambitious goal.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said a stronger biosecurity workforce was not only improving Queensland’s biosecurity safety, but also having flow-on effects to productivity, industry awareness and preparedness.
“We made a commitment to bolster biosecurity defenses in Queensland after Labor left them to deteriorate, and that is exactly what we are delivering” Minister Perrett said.
“When we improve our biosecurity, we also protect productivity which moves us closer to our goal of primary production output of $30 billion by 2030.
“This mid-way point in our recruitment drive marks a drastic change in direction from Labor’s decline of the past decade to boosting the ranks, reinstating the Cape York Biosecurity Centre and strengthening our presence across the north to vastly improve our ability to mitigate and respond to biosecurity risks and threats, before they impact on primary producers, our way of life or the environment.”
Member for Gregory Sean Dillon welcomed the announcement and said biosecurity officers played a vital role in protecting Queensland’s agriculture, environment and economy from pests, weeds and diseases.
“These officers operate on the front line, protecting Queensland’s diverse primary industries from plant and animal pest and disease threats,” Mr Dillon said.
“An invasive pest or disease outbreak could be catastrophic for primary producers, and these officers are vital in preventing invasions, providing surveillance and early detection, as well as raising public awareness and education.”
