THE HON DAVID LITTLEPROUD MP
Leader of The Nationals
Shadow Agriculture Minister
17 September 2025
Biosecurity for bananas crucial in Labor import review
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said strict biosecurity protocols must be maintained, as the Albanese Government prepares to launch a review of quarantine arrangements of banana imports from the Philippines.
Mr Littleproud said Australia remains free of the world’s most devastating banana diseases and our strong biosecurity status is crucial.
“If Australia must assess the import of bananas under international law, it is of great concern that Labor’s import risk assessment process does not include the oversight of a Scientific Advisory Group, as recommended by the Inspector-General in March 2025,” Mr Littleproud said.
“In addition, the process does not allow an appeal process, which was the case in the 2008 import risk assessment of bananas from the Philippines.
“If this process must go ahead, we need a full Biosecurity Import Risk Analysis under the Biosecurity Act.
“This will allow for a Scientific Advisory Group and an option for stakeholders to request the Inspector-General of Biosecurity to review a provisional report.
“Australia’s banana industry must not be compromised from potential diseases such as Moko, black Sigatoka and banana freckle.
“The strictest process under Australia’s law must be used with full due diligence.
“The consequences of having holes in our biosecurity procedure are simply far too great for our banana industry and something we cannot risk.”
Australia’s banana industry is worth $1.3 billion, with 90 per cent of bananas produced in Queensland, supporting 18,000 jobs.
