The Hon Julie Bishop MP - Minister for Education, Science and Training, and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues

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Media Release

Boosting Australia’s biosecurity

8 May 2007

BUDB 32/07

The Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong, Victoria will receive $16.8 million funding in a major boost to Australia’s biosecurity, the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, said today.

The Minister announced the funding as part of the 2007-08 Budget and said the funding, to be delivered over four years, would be used to improve diagnostic testing of new and emerging diseases.

"The global movement of people, animals and plants, the re-emergence of diseases such as Foot and Mouth, the appearance of new virulent diseases, and the risk of bioterrorism, have all sharply increased the demand for diagnostic testing," Minister Bishop said.

"This funding will enable AAHL to respond to escalating demands for testing which, over the last 10 years, have increased one hundred fold for exotic diseases alone."

The Minister said it would also allow the implementation of new security, engineering, maintenance and occupational health and safety measures that will maintain AAHL’s standing as a world class facility.

"AAHL is one of the world’s leading High Security Physical Containment Level 4 facilities for work on animal exotic diseases, and the most advanced in terms of providing animal health diagnostic services," Minister Bishop said.

"It has played a critical role in protecting human health from diseases which are transferred through animals, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)."

Media Contacts

Minister Bishop’s Office: Tory Vidler 0414 228 727

CSIRO: Jamie Nicholson 02 6276 6409

Supporting Information

Why is this important?

The additional funding will allow the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), at Geelong, Victoria to:

respond to the rapidly increasing demand for diagnostic and emergency response capacity;

implement new security measures;

maintain engineering and maintenance capabilities; and

undertake essential Occupational Health and Safety measures.

AAHL protects access to global markets for Australia’s livestock industries. It has been central to the containment of incursions of diseases such as avian influenza and is playing a critical role in protecting human health from diseases (such as SARS) transferred through animals.

The demands on AAHL have increased sharply with the number of specimens tested for exotic diseases alone having increased one hundred fold, from 40 to 4,000 specimens per annum over the last 10 years.

Who will benefit?

Australia’s livestock and related industries.

The Australian population in general from reduced public health risks.

Industry more broadly, through the diffusion of scientific knowledge and highly trained people.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

The Government is committing $16.8 million over four years.

What have we done in the past?

For over two decades, AAHL has maintained its status both in Australia and internationally as one of the world’s leading High Security Physical Containment Level 4 facilities for work on animal exotic diseases and has delivered advanced animal health diagnostic services.

When will the initiative conclude?

The initiative will be ongoing.