Mr WETTENHALL (6 March 2007) (9.51 pm): In May 2006, the DPIF confirmed the presence of electric ants in the northern Cairns suburb of Smithfield in my electorate of Barron River. The identification was made from specimens collected by residents who had suffered numerous painful stings. Subsequent surveys of neighbouring properties found electric ants on 18 properties in close proximity to the original site. These properties adjoin forested areas connected to national park and the Kuranda Range section of the Wet Tropics World Heritage area.

The electric ant, also know as the little fire ant, is native to central and South America. They have a significant invasive history in Africa, North America and six Pacific island groups. They are included as one of the world's worst 100 invasive species by the World Conservation Union. Electric ants can cause declines in the numbers of invertebrates and small vertebrates such as lizards and ground-nesting birds. They compete with other ant species, and on Christmas Island they have devastated the forest structure.

The ant injects powerful venom when it stings, resulting in painful, itchy and persistent pimples sometimes lasting up to three days. People are often stung from contact in gardens and swimming pools. Foraging trails may enter houses and nests can be made in beds, furniture and food. Nests may be moved into buildings or trees during heavy rain to escape flooding. Sometimes a severe allergic reaction may result. In rare cases, the sting can even blind domestic pets such as cats and dogs.

Ants are spread by people and, once established, colonies can spread by budding at 170 metres per year. Elsewhere, the ants have been known to affect horticultural industries, mainly from the effects of stings on workers in the field. Because of their small size, they are unlikely to be seen before the sting is inflicted.

Electric ants have been declared as a pest under the Plant Protection Act 1989. The declaration establishes a pest quarantine area so that movement of high-risk items which may spread the ant can be controlled. High-risk materials include green waste and plant material and disturbed soil. Properties in the declared areas must dispose in special areas set aside for building materials, construction and demolition waste, and garden waste. Potted plants must be chemically treated before being moved and inspected,and prior to the disturbance of soil or earthworks a site inspection must be carried out.

The treatment and surveillance program is being administered by the Electric Ant Control Centre,jointly implemented by DPIF, DNRW and EPA. There are currently 13 staff. So far two rounds of a baiting program have been completed. The team has conducted door-to-door surveys, held 19 public displays and issued direct mail to over 250 residents. A shopping centre display at Smithfield recently attracted over 200inquiries.

From the original 18 properties first detected, some 110 at Smithfield have now been identified. Just some days ago, the tiny ants turned up in a new northern beaches suburb of Kewarra Beach. In one yard the infestation was virtually blanket. Treatment is by broadcast baiting of corn grit soaked in soya bean and the growth inhibitor hydramethylnon.

Time expired.