Meeting communiqué
31 July 2026
Commonwealth, state, and territory agriculture and environment ministers met on 31 July 2026, for the first joint Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Environment Ministers’ Meeting (EMM) to discuss the evolving H5 bird flu situation.
This meeting was jointly chaired by the Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Minister Julie Collins and Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator the Hon Murray Watt.
H5 bird flu situation update
Agriculture and environment ministers met jointly to discuss Australia's preparedness for and response to H5 bird flu, recognising the importance of a coordinated approach across governments and sectors for coordinated decision-making and response efforts.
Ministers received an update from expert officials on the current H5 bird flu situation in Australia and noted that jurisdictions are leading on-ground response activities, supported by national coordination arrangements.
Officials briefed the group on the decision to enact the H5 National Management Agreement based on advice from the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD) that H5 bird flu in wildlife is not technically feasible to eradicate in wildlife following recent detection and evidence of local transmission of H5 bird flu in a small number of wild seabirds.
Ministers noted the activation of the National Management Agreement for H5 HPAI in wildlife and welcomed the close partnership between agriculture and environment agencies in implementing the agreement.
In addition to the $113 million in funding already committed by the Australian Government to strengthen our nation's preparedness for H5 bird flu, Ministers noted that on 21 July 2026, the National Management Group (NMG) committed to cost-share up to $24.8 million to support response activities undertaken since the first confirmed detections of H5 bird flu in Australia.
Ministers committed to continue working closely as we adapt to the evolving situation, noting that planning has been undertaken for all credible scenarios, and Ministers reaffirmed the importance of ongoing readiness.
Ministers recognised the importance of nationally coordinated communications in supporting public confidence, promoting awareness, and ensuring stakeholders receive clear, consistent, and timely information.
Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration across governments, industries, and sectors to protect Australia's wildlife, agricultural industries, communities, and economy from the impacts of H5 bird flu.
AMM Ministerial attendees
- Australian Government (Joint Chair): Hon Julie Collins, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Australian Government: Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Australian Capital Territory: Ms Suzanne Orr MLA, Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Minister for Equality, Minister for Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity
- New South Wales: Hon Tara Moriarty MLC, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional New South Wales, Minister for Western New South Wales
- Northern Territory: 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: *Jo Collins, Deputy Chief Executive, Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia. *Proxy for Hon Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, 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: *Ashley Buck, Chief of Staff. *Proxy for Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC, Minister for Agriculture and Food, Minister for Fisheries, Minister for Forestry, Minister for Small Business Minister for the Mid West.
EMM Ministerial attendees
- Australian Government (Joint Chair): Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
- Australian Capital Territory: Ms Suzanne Orr MLA, Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Minister for Equality, Minister for Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity
- New South Wales: *Brendan Bruce, Deputy Secretary, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. *Proxy for Hon Penny (Penelope) Sharpe, Minister for the Environment, Minister for Heritage, Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Energy
- Northern Territory: *Joanne Townsend, Chief Executive Officer, Department of Land, Planning and Environment. *Proxy for Hon Joshua (Josh) Burgoyne, Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment, Minister for Corporate and Digital Development, Minister for Water Resources
- Queensland: Hon Andrew Powell, Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Minister for Science and Innovation
- South Australia: Hon Emily Bourke MLC, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Minister for Tourism
- Tasmania: *Louise Wilson, Deputy Secretary, Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. *Proxy for Hon Guy Barnett MP, Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Minister for Justice, Corrections and Rehabilitation, Minister for Small Business, Trade and Consumer Affairs
- Victoria: Hon Enver Erdogan, Minister for Environment, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Outdoor Recreation
- Western Australia: Hon Matthew Swinbourn MLC, Minister for the Environment; Community Services; Homelessness.
Observers
- New Zealand: The Hon Andrew Hoggard, Minister for Biosecurity, Minister for Food Safety
- Australian Local Government Association (ALGA): Mr Matt Burnett.