This Senate inquiry investigated the arrival and establishment of new invasive species impacting on the Australian environment.
Our 83-page submission shows Australia has suffered major losses due to invasive species. It provides data and case studies that indicate ongoing, serious, and systemic flaws in environmental biosecurity. It addresses each of the terms of reference and makes recommendations to strengthen environmental biosecurity to prevent the flow of new invasive species that continue to arrive and establish with deadly consequences for the Australian environment.
Also submitted was a collection of 15 case studies that form an attachment to the primary submission. These detailed case studies consist of examples of 12 recent incursions, 4 high risk potential incursions and one demonstration of the illegal internet plant trade.
Executive summary >> (1.4MB pdf)
Full submission and executive summary >> (2MB pdf)
Case studies >> (5Mb pdf)
About the inquiry
The inquiry commenced in July 2014 following a resolution of the Senate on 26 Jun 2014 that established the terms of reference. The inquiry was conducted by the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee. The inquiry presented its report to the Senate on 13 May 2015.
Invasive Species Council information
- Senate inquiry delivers compelling call to action >> (May 2015)
- Invasive Species Council submission >>
- Biosecurity failures in Australia: 12 case studies >>
- Environment Health Australia >>
- Integrating the environment into biosecurity >>
Senate inquiry
- Senate committee final report >>
- Senate committee terms of reference >>
- Senate committee submissions >>
- Senate committee home page >>