81885 (2024). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister for Biosecurity

81885 (2024). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister for Biosecurity: What, if any, concrete examples of initiatives or funding increases are enhancing MPI's biosecurity capacity?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: On 19 December 2024, I announced funding support to continue the H7N6 HPAI response. The funding support included $20 million for response and compensation costs. On 7 August this year I announced that efforts to contain and remove exotic caulerpa seaweed have received a $10 million funding injection to drive the ongoing development of new tools and techniques. This built on the $5 million first phase of the programme, enabling enhancement of removal technologies such as suction dredging and exploration of other new ideas. I am also advised that continued investment in core infrastructure (the Plant Health and Environment Laboratory, and border technologies) is occurring to keep pace with changing risks. Funding for the replacement of ageing assets and the digital border programme, improving the efficiency of processing travellers whilst managing biosecurity risk, comes from border levy revenue.