Question Time AU

General Debate

Invasive Species Management: Carp

House of Representatives · Monday 25 May 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate centred on a motion moved by the National Party urging the government to release the carp herpes virus by 2028 to control invasive carp populations. The mover argued that current methods were ineffective and that scientific evidence supported the safety and efficacy of the virus. The Labor member acknowledged the severity of the carp problem but cautioned against rushing the release, citing the need for further evidence regarding environmental risks and the irreversible nature of biological controls. The sitting was suspended before the debate concluded.

Outcome

The sitting was suspended from 13:20 to 16:00.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Darren Chester (Gippsland) (National Party) Nationals

Chester moved a motion urging the government to carry out the carp herpes virus release by 2028. Chester argued that carp were causing significant environmental damage, including high water turbidity and the displacement of native fish, with costs running into hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Chester cited the National Carp Control Plan and CSIRO research indicating the virus would not infect non-target species and could reduce carp biomass by up to 60 per cent. Chester stated that stakeholders, including the Murray-Darling Carp Action Alliance, had unanimously supported the release and demanded clear timelines rather than further delays.