Mr ADAMSON - 1996-05-21
The minister will be only too aware of the importance of efficient and effective quarantine measures to protect our multimillion-dollar primary sector. Has the Northern Territory government presented a submission to a nationwide review of quarantine policies and procedures?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the Northern Territory government believes that, if Australia's clean, green image is to be maintained in overseas markets, the continuation of effective and efficient quarantine policies and procedures must be strictly enforced. We have made our views known clearly to the Nairn committee which is reviewing Australian quarantine arrangements at this time.
The last review was conducted in 1987. Since that time, we have had the outcome of the GATT round of negotiations, rapid increases in world trade and a significant increase in movements of people between nations. Major advancements have been made also in the scientific ways in which pests and diseases can be detected coming across our shores. It is important that we make the best of this current review. Clearly, such reviews do not come around all that often. While the Territory government considers that the level of protection given by the current quarantine arrangements is adequate, it does have some important underlying concerns. Primarily, it believes that further resources need to be directed towards north-west Australia before a major incursion occurs. This region seems to be given less priority than Torres Strait. Notwithstanding that Torres Strait is of major concern, we cannot ignore the dangers that the north-west coast of Australia presents.
One of the greatest threats to our quarantine barrier comes from the illegal transport of people into Australia. We would be fooling ourselves if we did not think that there was not an organised trade in attempting to smuggle people into this country. The threats these boats pose is huge. Often, they carry animals, plants and all sorts of foodstuffs that can introduce disease to our country. Already illegal landings have been made at Nightcliff and other places. Boats carrying Chinese, Vietnamese and Kurds have entered our waters with the intention of landing on our northern coast. It is not an issue we can take lightly. We in the Territory are on the frontline. We believe more surveillance and the provision of more resources in the north-west are vital if we are to maintain the barrier.
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The Northern Territory government is concerned about the Commonwealth's apparent lack of initiative and resources in the areas of public awareness and public education. To be truly effective, combined national and regional programs must be implemented in order that particular threats to a region may be brought to the attention of the community. These issues need to be addressed and are being raised as part of our contribution to the review.
Another aspect of the quarantine arrangements that I find a little worrying at the moment is an indication from the federal government that it intends centralising both the quarantine barrier and the export inspection services which the Territory government currently carries out on an agency basis for the Commonwealth. The Territory government firmly believes the day-to-day management of quarantine should be done on a regional basis. Industry and quarantine staff have a good relationship mainly because the officers can react to industry needs without first having to gain approval or direction from Canberra. These arrangements should continue. We will be monitoring developments.
Notwithstanding our concerns, much of the success of quarantine comes from the diligence and professionalism of our staff in the Territory. It is not an easy job crawling inside the hulls of ships or out in the swamps, running detection programs. However, we have very good, well-trained staff who have maintained an efficient and effective barrier over the years. They deserve to be resourced, and resourced effectively, in order that, as I said in opening, Australia may maintain its clean, green status and the freedom from disease that makes it the envy of many parts of the world.
Page 1389
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the Northern Territory government believes that, if Australia's clean, green image is to be maintained in overseas markets, the continuation of effective and efficient quarantine policies and procedures must be strictly enforced. We have made our views known clearly to the Nairn committee which is reviewing Australian quarantine arrangements at this time.
The last review was conducted in 1987. Since that time, we have had the outcome of the GATT round of negotiations, rapid increases in world trade and a significant increase in movements of people between nations. Major advancements have been made also in the scientific ways in which pests and diseases can be detected coming across our shores. It is important that we make the best of this current review. Clearly, such reviews do not come around all that often. While the Territory government considers that the level of protection given by the current quarantine arrangements is adequate, it does have some important underlying concerns. Primarily, it believes that further resources need to be directed towards north-west Australia before a major incursion occurs. This region seems to be given less priority than Torres Strait. Notwithstanding that Torres Strait is of major concern, we cannot ignore the dangers that the north-west coast of Australia presents.
One of the greatest threats to our quarantine barrier comes from the illegal transport of people into Australia. We would be fooling ourselves if we did not think that there was not an organised trade in attempting to smuggle people into this country. The threats these boats pose is huge. Often, they carry animals, plants and all sorts of foodstuffs that can introduce disease to our country. Already illegal landings have been made at Nightcliff and other places. Boats carrying Chinese, Vietnamese and Kurds have entered our waters with the intention of landing on our northern coast. It is not an issue we can take lightly. We in the Territory are on the frontline. We believe more surveillance and the provision of more resources in the north-west are vital if we are to maintain the barrier.
Page 1388
The Northern Territory government is concerned about the Commonwealth's apparent lack of initiative and resources in the areas of public awareness and public education. To be truly effective, combined national and regional programs must be implemented in order that particular threats to a region may be brought to the attention of the community. These issues need to be addressed and are being raised as part of our contribution to the review.
Another aspect of the quarantine arrangements that I find a little worrying at the moment is an indication from the federal government that it intends centralising both the quarantine barrier and the export inspection services which the Territory government currently carries out on an agency basis for the Commonwealth. The Territory government firmly believes the day-to-day management of quarantine should be done on a regional basis. Industry and quarantine staff have a good relationship mainly because the officers can react to industry needs without first having to gain approval or direction from Canberra. These arrangements should continue. We will be monitoring developments.
Notwithstanding our concerns, much of the success of quarantine comes from the diligence and professionalism of our staff in the Territory. It is not an easy job crawling inside the hulls of ships or out in the swamps, running detection programs. However, we have very good, well-trained staff who have maintained an efficient and effective barrier over the years. They deserve to be resourced, and resourced effectively, in order that, as I said in opening, Australia may maintain its clean, green status and the freedom from disease that makes it the envy of many parts of the world.
Page 1389
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016