Cruisers spark scrutiny worries

CONCERNS have been raised over biosecurity measures in place at the Port of Cairns as the city’s cruise ship industry continues to grow.

The Community and Public Sector Union’s Amy Smith claimed not all incoming vessels were being thoroughly inspected due to a shortage of biosecurity staff.

It comes after the release of a damning report in which Inspector General of Biosecurity, Dr Helen Scott-Orr said a decrease in staff numbers was putting the nation’s border biosecurity at risk.

“I think that if you are increasing a load of passengers … it should be matched by an increase in staff or higher controls,” Ms Smith said.

“Having property biosecurity controls in place is vital to thousands of jobs in the banana and sugar cane industries and even the Great Barrier Reef.”

One of the recommendations stemming from Dr Scott-Orr’s report was for the Federal Government to ensure “adequate long-term funding for biosecurity risk management, including border inspections and enforcement”.

The report probed the reasons behind the white spot disease outbreak that devastated Southeast Queensland prawn farms.

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said the government had boosted biosecurity by $200 million through the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, but would not comment on staff numbers in Cairns.

“We’re making strategic investments that will deliver long-term benefits,” he said.