Queensland residents draw to the attention of the House the major threat yellow crazy ants pose to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and surrounds.

Yellow crazy ants, recognised among 100 of the world's most invasive species, are a serious environmental menace, agricultural pest and risk to human health.

If not eradicated they develop into super colonies, capable of causing massive destruction within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and surrounds. Your petitioners are concerned that uncontrolled spread would decimate insect and animal life causing permanent and irreversible changes to the biodiversity of the Wet Tropics rainforests which strikingly, are internationally-recognised as the world's second most irreplaceable natural World Heritage site. In particular, spread of yellow crazy ants could drive extinction of many unique species such as the cassowary and Kuranda tree frog.

In addition to direct ecological impacts, yellow crazy ants have the potential to threaten the region's tourism industry and agricultural productivity as well as visitor enjoyment of the Wet Tropics and the health and wellbeing of local residents.

Failure to eradicate risks the economic, social and environmental values of life in the Wet Tropics.

Your petitioners therefore request the House, in conjunction with the federal government, to jointly, fairly and fully implement the $15.3 million eradication program in the Wet Tropics region as proposed by the Wet Tropics Management Authority. It is imperative the program is funded in the current budget cycle therefore we humbly request the minister provide a response prior to the formal budget announcement.