The Invasive Species Council has led the national campaign for fire ant eradication since 2015. In 2017 we won $411 million in government funding for Queensland’s 10 year eradication program. In 2023 we exposed secret reports revealing the program was failing, successfully triggered a Senate inquiry and at the start of 2024 secured a new ...
Invasive Species Council
Saving Australia from a Fire Ant Disaster

GOAL
$126,000
Field of Interest
- Environment conservation and climate change
- Health/wellbeing and medical research
Target Population
- Flora / fauna
- General population

The Invasive Species Council has an impressive impact at a global, national and state level, protecting unique species and precious ecosystems from extinction and decline. For over 20 years ISC has led the charge to stop invasive species – the leading cause of animal extinction in Australia. The IUCN 2020 World Heritage Outlook 3 Report identified invasive species as one of the two most prevalent threats to our World Heritage areas.
By influencing government policy, sourcing investment and providing the tools for the prevention of new invasive species and managing existing feral animals and weeds, the Invasive Species Council assists Indigenous, private and government land managers in protecting our precious heritage.
Project Summary
The Invasive Species Council has led the national campaign for fire ant eradication since 2015. In 2017 we won $411 million in government funding for Queensland’s 10 year eradication program. In 2023 we exposed secret reports revealing the program was failing, successfully triggered a Senate inquiry and at the start of 2024 secured a new 4-year $592 million funding commitment.
However, years of delay by governments to start an enhanced program means the problem is now much bigger. Funding and timelines inadequate to save Australia from a life sentence with fire ants. ISC needs to run a well-resourced, highly visible and targeted campaign to pressure government commitments of increased funds and resources for the program to match the scale of the threat.
Fire ant eradication now sits on a knife’s edge. We have one last shot to stop these tiny killers from devastating our environment, agriculture and people. Australia can’t afford to fail.
Project Outcomes
Elections are our greatest opportunity for impact. There is a Queensland election in October 2024 and a federal election the next year. Placing fire ants high on the political agenda for both of these events presents a key opportunity to secure commitments for greater funding, faster action and better resources for fire ants.
We will educate and activate Australian communities in areas that are politically important and where the fire ant threat is easily conveyed.
Communities will be mobilised through well-publicised public meetings and events, paid advertising and direct engagement with community and business groups.
We will back this up by advocacy and direct engagement with decision makers, from a powerful coalition of industry, environment and community groups. We’ll also ensure regular, high-profile media coverage.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $254,000
FUNDING
Funding source | Amount |
---|---|
Invasive Species Council Philanthropic Donations (confirmed) | $128,000 |
Funding gap (unconfirmed) | $126,000 |
EXPENSES
Expense item | Amount |
---|---|
Advocacy and Communciations Staff Salaries, and travel costs | $128,000 |
Community organiser (part time) Supporting on-ground events, logistics and stakeholder relationships | $40,000 |
US fire ant expert road show with Dr Robert Puckett | $15,000 |
Brisbane community events 6 events, venue hire, travel | $5,000 |
Advertising - Events and online | $31,000 |
Species Impact Study research and writing | $20,000 |
Polling state, federal seats, x3 sets | $15,000 |
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