The federal budget has taken important steps to deliver long-term sustainable biosecurity funding, but more work is needed to ensure key sectors are paying for the biosecurity risks they create.
‘We are pleased to see measures to put us on a path to sustainable funding, including cost-recovery from low-value imports and more effective pricing in the passenger movement charge,’ said Invasive Species Council CEO Andrew Cox.
‘The budget has delivered welcome new biosecurity funding and improved certainty over the forward estimates. The enhanced Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program is positive.
‘Yet, the government’s work is only half done. An effective levy on sea and air containers and other risk-creating sectors is vital if biosecurity funding is to keep pace with growing volumes of trade.
‘There are too many free riders in the system. Importers of goods are not paying their share for the massive damage they cause when they unleash a new pest or pathogen into our environment.
‘With the bulk of new funding being delivered through increased agricultural levies, risk creators need to be the primary focus, especially importers that inadvertently bring harmful pests, weeds and diseases into Australia.
‘The federal government has flagged it will “look at other options” for revenue sources like a container import levy, but worryingly there is no delivery timetable.
‘It’s unfair for all Australians to foot the bill for the hundreds of millions needed to eradicate Queensland’s red fire ant infestation originating from contaminated overseas cargo.
‘It is critical that this funding delivers explicitly for environmental biosecurity priorities, including preparing for some of the most dangerous invaders on our doorstep, such as highly pathogenic bird flu strains, which could wipe out native bird populations.
‘Recent reports have highlighted the massive biosecurity risk from online wildlife trade and this sector is one of the biggest threats when it comes to environmental biosecurity.
‘Yet at the same time, it doesn’t have to pay for the damage that dumped or escaped pets cause to our environment, whether that’s red-eared slider turtles colonising our waterways or a species of aggressive newt now established in parts of Melbourne.
‘History tells us that if we don’t get this right, we will see our native plants and animals disappear when the next deadly insect, fungus, toad or pathogen arrives,’ said Mr Cox.
Key biosecurity budget measures:
Summary of measures announced by the federal government in the 2023-24 federal budget.
New funding announcements:
- A total of $1.03 billion in new biosecurity investments over the next four years and $260 million in new funding per year from 2027-28 (breakdown below).
- $845.0 million over 4 years from 2023–24 (and $255.3 million per year ongoing) to maintain biosecurity policy, operational and technical functions on a sustainable basis, including regulation, surveillance, domestic preparedness and response, and international engagement and capability development.
- $145.2 million over 3 years from 2023–24 to deliver modern digital systems in cargo pathways that are integrated with business systems, cut red tape and streamline regulation and service delivery for importers.
- $40.6 million over 4 years from 2023–24 (and $12.0 million per year ongoing) to continue the Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program to reduce biosecurity risks in Northern Australia and provide social and economic benefits to First Nations, rural and remote communities.
The cost of the measure will be partially offset through introducing:
- Cost recovery arrangements for the clearance of low value imported cargo, which is expected to raise $81.3 million over 3 years from 2024–25.
- A Biosecurity Protection Levy on Australian producers of agricultural, forestry and fishery products from 1 July 2024, set at a rate equivalent to 10 percent of the 2020–21 industry-led agricultural levies, which is estimated to increase receipts by $153.0 million over 3 years from 2024–25. The levy recognises the benefits that primary producers derive from Australia’s biosecurity system, including detection, identification and response associated with invasive pests and diseases, maximising trade opportunities, and enhancing access to premium overseas markets.
Passenger movement charge:
- Increase the Passenger Movement Charge from 1 July 2024 by $10 from $60 to $70 per passenger. The Passenger Movement Charge is levied on passengers departing Australia on international flights or sea transport, irrespective of a passenger’s intention to return to Australia. The charge goes to consolidated revenue.
More info:
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry fact sheet: ‘Sustainable funding for a strong biosecurity system’
- Frontier Economics report May 2023 ‘Sustainable funding for biosecurity – an evaluation of funding options’
