Serious questions about the potential importation of bananas from the Philippines were raised at Senate Estimates on Tuesday, with concerns spanning biosecurity risks, food security and the potential cost of an incursion. 

LNP Senator for Queensland Susan McDonald questioned Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry representatives about the findings of a technical visit to the Philippines earlier this year, the costs of managing a potential incursion and the uncertainty facing Australian banana growers. 

The import risk assessment is still under way, and no fresh bananas are currently permitted to be imported into Australia. Every banana bought here is Australian-grown. 

The exchange, primarily between Senator McDonald and Dr Peter Finnin, the Department’s First Assistant Secretary, was also covered by ABC Rural. You can listen to the ABC Rural Report here. 

Senator McDonald asked about pests and diseases identified during the Department’s visit, with Dr Finnin confirming evidence of a range of threats had been found. 

“We need to understand what the risk of transmission of those diseases to Australia through fruit might be, and whether they can be managed,” Dr Finnin said. 

He also confirmed that any incursion would be covered by a cost-shared response arrangement. 

Senator McDonald highlighted the difficult prospect for growers, who have already spent millions of dollars eradicating black Sigatoka and managing other serious biosecurity threats. 

The next major milestone is the release of a draft import risk assessment report, expected in the first half of 2027. The report will be open for public consultation for at least 60 days.