The Queensland invasive species scorecard released today shows that the Greens, then Labor have the strongest commitment to protecting the sunshine state from ferals, weeds and pests – it’s definitely not performance we’re rating them on!
“Invasive species are driving our threatened wildlife towards extinction in Queensland and across Australia,” Invasive Species Council CEO Andrew Cox said today.
“When voting make sure you know where each party stands on protecting our precious places, native plants and animals from invaders.
“While fire ants have been under the spotlight recently with a roundly supported ten-year eradication program, there are plenty of other invasive species we need to fight back against, including the newly-established weed Koster’s curse, yellow crazy ants and expanding numbers of feral deer.”
The Invasive Species Council released the results of its election scorecard after reviewing the policies of the major parties and analysing the results of a ten-part survey.
It found that the Greens support a stronger environmental focus in the state’s biosecurity system with a minister for biosecurity and a stand-alone biosecurity agency.
Labor is committed to implementing the recommendations of its biosecurity capability review and developing a new biosecurity strategy.
The Greens and One Nation, and to a lesser extent Labor, are committed to addressing outbreaks of yellow crazy ants at Cairns and Townsville and the highly invasive weed Koster’s curse near Cairns.
“We are disappointed the Liberal National Party did not answer our survey and has no policy to address growing invasive species problems impacting the environment,” Mr Cox said.
For the full review of policy and survey responses, see our Queensland election scorecard.
For comment
- Invasive Species Council: CEO Andrew Cox – 0438 588 040.
Authorised by Andrew Cox, 88b Station St, Fairfield Vic 3078.