Joint media release: Albanese Government delivering more than $100 million to fight avian influenza

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins MP
Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister

The Albanese Labor Government is investing an additional $95 million to further prepare and protect the nation against a strain of avian influenza that carries significant risks for our agricultural industries, our unique wildlife and the national economy.

Australia is the only continent that remains free from high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, but its rapid global spread has led to significant impacts in poultry, wild birds and some mammal species, including respiratory illness, reduction in egg production and sudden death.

Today’s announcement will see:

• $37 million invested in initiatives to protect Australian agriculture, including:
  • $15 million to increase national biosecurity response capability and improve surveillance with key partners including the states and territories;
  • $5 million to boost biosecurity and scientific capability, including procuring vaccines for use in some captive threatened bird species;
  • Up to $10 million invested in nationally coordinated communications to ensure the Australian community is informed, prepared and protected;
  • $7 million invested to enhance wild bird surveillance activities through Wildlife Health Australia, to improve early detection and reporting capacity.
• $35.9 million will be invested to boost environmental measures and accelerate protective action for threatened species and priority biodiversity. That work includes supporting state and territory governments to boost preparedness planning for our most vulnerable species and places, and key conservation partners to improve protections for precious captive populations of threatened species.  
• $22.1 million to strengthen public health preparedness by increasing the number of ready-to-use pandemic flu vaccines in the National Medical Stockpile. While human infections with avian influenza viruses are rare, the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control is focused on ensuring Australia is as prepared as possible for any potential case of human infection.  

The new funding announced today builds on our strong national biosecurity arrangements and is on top of more than $1 billion of additional biosecurity funding announced in the 2023 Budget, including $845 million to support operations across the country.

It is also in addition to the previous announcement of $6.9 million to enhance national preparedness and response capability for a potential HPAI H5N1 incursion in Australia.

More information about the Australian Government response to the threat of HPAI H5N1 is available at birdflu.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:

“The Albanese Labor Government has already invested more than $1 billion in our national biosecurity system to ensure we are prepared for the threat of incursions like this strain of avian influenza.

“This strain of avian influenza presents a real and significant threat to Australia’s agriculture sector. Impacts experienced this year from outbreaks of other strains of high pathogenicity avian influenza highlight the importance of continued investment in national preparedness.  

“That is why we are investing more than $100 million in preparedness.  

“Today’s announcement will strengthen our ability to detect any incursion and enhance biosecurity responses where it counts – working in partnership to collaboratively manage national biosecurity threats.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler MP:

“Although human infections with avian influenza viruses are rare and the current risk to the Australian population remains very low, there is no room for complacency.

“The Australian Government’s $22.1 million investment will increase the number of pandemic flu vaccines we have in storage.

“The interim Australian Centre for Disease Control is leading this work – and is very focused on ensuring we are as prepared as possible for any potential case of H5N1 avian influenza.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek MP:

“While Australia remains free from HPAI H5N1, the awful reality of this disease is that – like the rest of the world – we will not be able to prevent its arrival.

“As environment minister - my focus is on doing everything I can to protect our precious threatened species.

“I am particularly concerned about the potential impact on species already at risk of extinction and not well placed to cope with significant mortalities. This includes marine mammals such as the endangered Australian sea lion, and sea birds like the Christmas Island frigatebird which has only one breeding site.

“That’s why we’re investing an extra $35.9 million to improve protections for threatened species and to make sure we’re prepared as possible.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Jenny McAllister:

“The National Emergency Management Agency is supporting the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to prepare for, and respond to, any impacts a detection of H5N1 avian influenza may have on our economy, community and environment.

“We have supported the design and delivery of three crisis exercises and activated the National Coordination Mechanism multiple times to coordinate governments, industry and community organisations.

“This work has informed the investment announced today to prepare and protect Australians against this strand of avian influenza.”