Dr LIM - 2005-10-18
In light of the minister’s answer to my previous question on Avian flu, you will recall at the last sittings, Madam Speaker, the minister advised parliament that magpie geese are not involved with the spread of Avian flu and, therefore, shooters and hunters of magpie geese are not likely to be exposed to the flu. Is he aware that the Northern Territory Chief Veterinary Officer was quoted in the Weekend Australian of 24/25 September 2005 saying: ‘… but if it did come in …’ - he meant coming into the Northern Territory - ‘… then birds like magpie geese would be the reservoir’. Was the minister wrong in his advice to parliament at the last sittings? What advice will he now give Territorians in relation to Avian flu and the role that magpie geese have in a potential outbreak?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have never known anyone like the member for Greatorex to take A and B and get D. The Chief Veterinary Officer was referring to the situation where the Avian flu virus found its way onshore into Australia. Yes, magpie geese, even though they are non-migratory, could act as a reservoir for the virus in its bird-to-bird transmittable form. He was not saying by the statement he made that magpie geese are migratory. I did not mislead anyone. In fact, I am absolutely amazed that the opposition is wandering into the magpie screamer debate again.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have never known anyone like the member for Greatorex to take A and B and get D. The Chief Veterinary Officer was referring to the situation where the Avian flu virus found its way onshore into Australia. Yes, magpie geese, even though they are non-migratory, could act as a reservoir for the virus in its bird-to-bird transmittable form. He was not saying by the statement he made that magpie geese are migratory. I did not mislead anyone. In fact, I am absolutely amazed that the opposition is wandering into the magpie screamer debate again.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016