Page 3524 - Week 11 - Thursday, 15 November 2007
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(4) What strategy has the ACT Government implemented to assist the horse industry to recover from the consequences of the outbreak of equine influenza;
(5) What strategy has the ACT Government implemented to assist industries associated with the horse industry to recover from the consequences of the outbreak of equine influenza;
(6) What costs have been incurred by the ACT to this point in responding to the outbreak of equine influenza.
Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) Saturday 25 August 2007.
(2) The Commonwealth Department of Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) notified the ACT Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO).
(3) Legislation was drafted initiating a standstill order. Resulting actions included the establishment of roadblocks, erection of signage at borders and horse properties, notification of major horse establishments, and the issuing of media releases about the standstill order. A Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC) was also established at Curtin to coordinate management of the incident in the ACT.
(4) Measures implemented to assist the horse industry include allowing limited race meetings, implementing the Green zone arrangement inline with NSW to allow movement of horses under a permit system, conducting risk assessments on some limited industries such as Pegasus and training schools to enable them to operate, allowing emergency movements under a permit, and vaccination of 355 horses.
The ACT Government will make available $150,000 in assistance to the local racing industry, equestrian clubs and Pegasus to help compensate for the cost of the equine influenza outbreak.
(5) A key measure implemented was conducting a biosecurity workshop for industry people (30 industry people registered for the workshop). Grants are available from the Commonwealth Government to individuals suffering financial difficulty as a result of the equine influenza outbreak. Up to $1,500 is available to individuals in the ACT, New South Wales and Queensland whose livelihood is dependent on horses. The Commonwealth Equine Influenza Business Assistance Grant of $5,000 is also available for businesses that derive the majority of their income from the commercial horse industry, and have experienced a significant downturn in income.
(6) The costs with managing the equine influenza incident are ongoing. They have been primarily associated with the operations of the LDCC.
Tourism—campaign
(Question No 1712)
Mr Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, upon notice, on 27 September 2007:
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