Australia is looking to New Zealand for advice on how to cope with the "unprecedented threat" of an explosion of a dangerous strain of bird flu.
So far both countries and the wider Pacific region have escaped the deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza, which has triggered the death, illness and reduced egg production among millions of wild birds and tens of thousands of mammal species elsewhere.
It's different from the strain that led to egg shortages in Australian supermarkets earlier in 2024.
On Friday, federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek met Australian and New Zealand environment ministers and senior officials to discuss preparation and protection measures.
AAP understands Australia has been looking to New Zealand for advice on preparing for an outbreak.
Ms Plibersek said all governments recognised the virus posed an unprecedented threat to the environment and threatened species, and all levels of government were working together on a co-ordinated response.
An official document from the meeting showed ministers committed to prioritising and increasing efforts to support species recovery and abate threats.
“We will continue working closely with agriculture, health and emergency management leaders across the country to help us prepare for a detection and protect our biodiversity," Ms Plibersek said in a statement.
“We are united, prepared and taking action.”
Earlier in the week, she said it was "unavoidable" the virus would arrive in Australia, with farmers put on alert.
On Sunday, the federal government revealed a $95 million boost to preparation efforts, including $35.9 million on environmental protection.
Campaigner Jack Gough from the Invasive Species Council was pleased the "looming disaster" has been made a priority and called for states to boost their funding commitments.
"The arrival of the deadly strain of bird flu could be Australia’s single biggest ecological disaster and planning, prioritisation and resources are essential if we are to save wildlife," he said.
"Governments are on the hook for this and Australians aren’t going to tolerate a failure to not save our wildlife and stop extinctions."
