Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) were first detected in Australia in South East Queensland in 2001. Governments have worked collectively to eradicate them ever since.
The National RIFA Eradication Program (the program) aims to remove this serious pest from Australia. The program reports to a national Steering Committee who work with the biosecurity area of the Queensland Government to deliver the program’s 10 Year Plan. A detailed summary of the eradication program in Queensland is located at National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program. For information about other RIFA incursions around Australia, see Red imported fire ant.
The Steering Committee includes representatives from state, territory and the federal governments. It is led by an independent chair. The Steering Committee gives guidance and support to the program to best achieve its objectives and monitors progress.
The current $411.4 million program began in 2017 and will run for 10 years as a national effort. RIFA are one of the most serious invasive ants in the world due to their harmful effects on people, the environment, and the economy. They have a painful bite that can affect people, pets and livestock.
This section contains Steering Committee information and documents including meeting minutes, media releases and reviews of the program.
Steering committee members
| Name | Position or area |
|---|---|
| Dr Wendy Craik | Independent Chair |
| Malcolm Letts | Queensland |
| Josephine Laduzko | Australian Government |
| Scott Charlton | New South Wales |
| Nigel Ainsworth | Victoria |
| Anne Walters | Northern Territory |
| Rae Burrows (Marcelle O’Brien to attend meetings) | Tasmania |
| John van Schagen | Western Australia |
| Jasmyn Lynch | Australia Capital Territory |
| Nathan Rhodes | South Australia |
| Mike Richards | External Financial Consultant |