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A Quarantine guide to hitchhikers from East Timor
AQIS20118
3 May 2001
AQIS will conduct regular surveys over the next four years for pests which might have 'hitchhiked' into Australia with personnel and equipment returning from East Timor. The first of these planned surveys was completed this month, AQIS Border Programs Manager, Mr Bob Murphy said today.
"Our three-tiered system has been designed to extirpate unwanted pests en route to Australia from East Timor - which is good news during National Quarantine Week because it demonstrates how quarantine continues to protect Australia's unique environment.
"AQIS is defending Australia from pest hitchhikers on three fronts: firstly, by inspecting and cleaning equipment, machinery and troops before they leave East Timor, secondly by checking them as they enter Australia and now, as the final check, conducting post-entry surveys.
"Quarantine surveys of military sites will take place once or twice yearly at more than 20 locations in Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. They are being conducted by AQIS staff and State government agencies," Mr Murphy said.
AQIS continues to work in cooperation with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the Australian Customs Service, AusAID, State government agencies and humanitarian groups to develop systems for clearing equipment and personnel from East Timor, and to ensure that personnel understand the importance of quarantine.
Since December 1999, AQIS has maintained 100 per cent inspection of passengers and cargo arriving in Australia from East Timor. To date, this includes:
- 592 ADF flights;
- 1300 commercial flights; and
- approximately 7000 military troops (including1500 ADF vehicles and equipment).
"Our greatest quarantine concern is Siam weed, because an outbreak in Australia could radically alter our vegetation. This, coupled with the fact that the seed of Siam weed is very small and could survive the pre-departure wash down of equipment leaving Dili, has meant that AQIS's inspections for this weed are particularly vigilant.
"AQIS has detected Siam weed, giant African snail, exotic mosquitoes and Asian honey-bee among military equipment and personal effects during pre-departure inspections in East Timor. By checking every nook and cranny on every piece of equipment - from cargo containers to trucks to backpacks - before they even arrive in Australia, means that we control much of the risk, pre-transit.
"AQIS has allocated additional resources to defend Australia against pests from East Timor, including ten staff out-posted to East Timor and extra staff in Darwin where the bulk of the traffic enters Australia. The threat of pests is very serious and we deal with this threat accordingly," Mr Murphy concluded.
National Quarantine Week, 30 April - 6 May
For interview:
Contact: Bob Murphy
Phone: 02 6272 5445
For media inquiries:
Contact: Carson Creagh
Phone: 02 6272 5156
Mobile: 0414 577 472