Meeting Communiqué
3 July 2026
Commonwealth, state, and territory agriculture ministers met on 3 July 2026, for the second Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) of the year to discuss the evolving H5 bird flu situation
This meeting was chaired by the Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Minister Julie Collins.
H5 bird flu situation update
Commonwealth, state and territory Agriculture Ministers received a briefing from the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, and the South Australian and Western Australian agriculture ministers and the New South Wales Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Biosecurity on the current H5 bird flu situation in Australia.
Ministers commended Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales’s quick responses to the detections, and their ongoing enhanced surveillance and testing work.
While there have been no H5 bird flu detections in Australia’s agriculture industries, Agriculture Ministers noted the collaborative approach being taken across jurisdictions and industries, and the extensive surveillance that has been undertaken, demonstrating Australia’s world class biosecurity system in action.
Ministers noted the national coordination mechanisms that have been activated to ensure a shared understanding of the situation as it evolves.
Ministers acknowledged the extensive work at the national and jurisdictional level that has been undertaken to prepare for H5 bird flu, bolstered by the more than $113 million Australian Government investment and further investment by states and territories.
Ministers noted that Australia remains free from high pathogenicity avian influenza in poultry in accordance with World Organisation for Animal Health international standards.
Ministers agreed to continue to work closely with industry on potential response options, as well as coordinated public communications and engagement with stakeholders.
Ministerial attendees
- Australian Government (Chair): Hon Julie Collins, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Australian Capital Territory: Ms Suzanne Orr MLA, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water, Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services, Minister for Seniors and Veterans
- New South Wales: *Rachel Connell, Deputy Secretary, Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. *Proxy for Hon Tara Moriarty MLC, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional New South Wales and Minister for Western New South Wales
- Northern Territory: *Amelia Vellar, Chief Executive Officer, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Northern Territory. *Proxy for Hon Gerard Maley, Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Minister for Mining and Energy, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Renewables, Minister for Recreational Fishing
- Queensland: Hon Anthony (Tony) Perrett MP, Minister for Primary Industries
- South Australia: Hon Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, and Minister for Forest Industries
- Tasmania: Hon Gavin Pearce MP, Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
- Victoria: Hon Michaela Settle, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Agriculture
- Western Australia: Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC, Minister for Agriculture and Food, Minister for Fisheries, Minister for Forestry, Minister for Small Business and Minister for the Mid West.