Responding to the announcement yesterday of an additional $125 million by the Commonwealth Government to support the response to H5 bird flu, Senator Faruqi has written to Minister Watt calling for funding to support veterinarians on the front line.
As stated by Senator Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and spokesperson for Animal Welfare:
“We are all deeply concerned about the potential for bird flu to severely impact multiple native species, including sea lions, penguins and other native birds, possibly to the point of extinction.
“I welcome the additional funding announced by the Commonwealth Government, but it seems once again frontline veterinarians are being left out.
“I continue to hear stories of vets being left high and dry on the frontlines with no support. They shouldn’t have to bear the significant financial burden of this national emergency alone.
“Vets have for too long been left to care for wildlife brought to their clinics with little or no financial support. I support the Australian Veterinary Association’s calls for a $7.5 million pilot program to support vets caring for animals right now. This is especially important as they confront this growing threat of bird flu.
“With the risk of events like bird flu set to get worse, vets must be supported now and into the future. The Government must extend Commonwealth Practical Payments to vet students who have been so far excluded, but who will be the ones called on to respond to the next outbreak to save our wildlife.”
