Urgent Call for Federal Assistance to Control Locust Plague in Queensland's Mid-West

Strategic Insights -

Queensland's mid-west region is facing a devastating locust plague, with pastures and crops being decimated by the outbreak. Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, has penned a letter to the ministers for Agriculture, Local Government, and Emergency Management, as well as the Treasurer, calling for urgent federal assistance to control the plague. Katter emphasizes that local councils require additional resources to manage and contain the infestation, and suggests redirecting unspent funds from the 2019 North-West flood cattle disaster relief package to support councils and landholders.

Key Takeaways:

  • The locust plague is "decimating pastures and crops" in Queensland's mid-west region, causing widespread damage to grazing country and cropping areas.
  • Local councils have sounded the alarm and urgently require additional resources to manage and contain the locust infestation.
  • Katter suggests redirecting unspent funds from the 2019 North-West flood cattle disaster relief package to support councils and landholders in fighting the locust plague.
  • The Commonwealth has previously committed $20 million for pest and weed control in the south-west region, and Katter urges the Government to deliver an equivalent level of support for the North-West region.
  • The Treasurer's leadership and swift action are crucial in helping communities manage the crisis and protect Queensland's vital agricultural industry.
  • The issue is time-critical, with the potential to wipe out productivity in one of the nation's most important cattle and cropping regions.

Statistics:

  • $100 million: Estimated value of cattle and lost production potentially saved by federal funding in the Julia Creek floods of 2019
  • $1 billion: Estimated value of cattle and lost production potentially lost in the Julia Creek floods of 2019 without federal funding
  • $20 million: Commonwealth funding previously committed for pest and weed control in the south-west region
  • $100 million: Proposed redirection of unspent funds from the 2019 North-West flood cattle disaster relief package to support councils and landholders
  • 2019: Year of the Julia Creek floods and subsequent cattle disaster relief package

Sources:

  • Bob Katter's office, Kennedy MP
  • Australian government website, Minister for Agriculture, Julie Collins
  • Australian government website, Minister for Local Government and Emergency Management, Kristy McBain
  • Australian government website, Treasurer, Jim Chalmers
  • Queensland government website, North-West flood recovery program