DAFF deputy secretary Justine Saunders: wild dog funding to continue.

LONG-AWAITED ongoing funding for the National Wild Dog Action Plan and its coordinator for at least another year was confirmed by the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry in Senate Estimates yesterday.

DAFF deputy secretary Justine Saunders told Senate Estimates that the national wild dog management coordinator role will continue until at least October 2027.

Ms Saunders told the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee there will be ongoing industry-funded investment into the co-ordinator through to September 2027 “and then we’ve extended our funding at Commonwealth level, which is $200,000, for delivery of the plan till November 2027.”

Senator Ross Cadell: good news.

New South Wales Nationals Senator Ross Cadell said the ongoing funding was “good news, we were wondering what’s going on.”

Senator Cadell asked if the coordinator funding would total $250,000, but Ms Saunders said she “did not have the quantum.”

A DAFF spokesperson confirmed with Sheep Central today that the Australian Government has committed $200,000 to support the continued delivery of the National Wild Dog Action Plan to November 2027, helping farmers to protect livestock from wild dog attacks.

The spokesperson said the new NWDAP funding agreement is in place with the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, which hosts the national wild dog management coordinator, who leads the delivery of the National Wild Dog Action Plan.

“This Australian Government funding builds on previous co-investments with industry and state and territory governments.

“Industry has committed to funding the continuation of the National Wild Dog Management coordinator,” the DAFF spokesperson said.

“The Centre for Invasive Species Solutions is working with Meat & Livestock Australia, Australian Wool Innovation and Animal Health Australia to finalise co-investment arrangements to continue funding the coordinator role.”

An Australian Wool Innovation spokesman said AWI recognises the importance of coordinated wild dog management in protecting sheep and supporting wool growers.

“AWI is committed to supporting the national wild dog coordinator role.”