Govt slammed over response to ant issue

AN LNP MP has labelled the Palaszczuk Government’s fire ant eradication program “unbelievable” after a shock memo revealed an iconic Gold Coast spot is at risk of invasion.

The Bulletin revealed on Tuesday the “super pest” is now found in 41 suburbs across the city and will reach as far south as Burleigh by 2024.

A memo to Gold Coast City councillors revealed Burleigh Hill is at risk of extended closure within four years without drastic action.

Now LNP Shadow Agriculture Minister Tony Perrett has revealed the Queensland Ombudsman is investigating a government eradication program “based on reports it has received from the public”.

“The LNP firmly believe in the mission of the eradication program, but wholeheartedly reject Labor’s botched implementation and ongoing mismanagement,” he said.

A $411.4 million 10-year eradication plan began in 2017, funding a “significant increase” in eradication activities and staged clearing of suburbs.

A spokesperson from the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program said they “welcome scrutiny”.

“We set a 12 working day limit on responding to reports of fire ants,” they said.

“While response times can sometimes be a little longer during cooler weather … we are still currently well within those service limits.”