2023-24 Federal Budget Submission.
Investing in prevention and early action are always the most cost-effective and damage mitigating approach to invasive species, but the current level of funding allocated to environmental biosecurity priorities is insufficient and this is costing Australia. Agencies, including the Environmental Biosecurity Office (EBO) and Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer (CEBO), that are intended to provide national leadership and coordination are underfunded and understaffed. The level of funding for on-ground action and research and development is also well below what is needed to prevent new incursions or protect threatened species and precious places like our World Heritage areas.
In this submission, we outline the additional funding required for initiatives and policies over the next four years which would improve Australia’s capacity to keep nature and agriculture safe from new and established invasive species. It is not a simple task – it will take concerted action and an ambitious, long-term vision shared by all parts of society, with strong leadership by our national government.