Sharon Goldfeld and Yasmin Harman-Smith: Action needed to get children's developmental progress back on track
A child's early years provide the building blocks for a lifetime of good health, development and wellbeing. It's therefore vital that researchers and policymakers know whether children are developmentally on track.
Australia is fortunate to have one of the world's most comprehensive collections of data on early childhood development in the world. Every three year since 2009, teachers have reported on five key areas of children's development in their first year of school as part of the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). Last year, with the support of teachers, schools and communities, the AEDC included over 94 per cent of Australian children. This week, the Australian Government released the 2024 results, with the findings suggesting a need for action.
The data tells us that since the last census in 2021, the percentage of children developmentally on track across all five domains of the AEDC – physical health and wellbeing; social competence; emotional maturity; language and cognitive skills (school-based) and communication skills and general knowledge – has declined, at the same time as the number of children experiencing developmental vulnerability has risen.
The findings also highlight that while drivers of this downturn have affected children and families across the socio-economic spectrum, a sizable equity gap in the developmental outcomes of children remains. Children living in the most socio-economically disadvantaged communities experience substantially higher rates of developmental vulnerability compared to their peers growing up in areas with greater access to material resources. These unwelcome trends risk Australia's future prosperity.
To prevent these findings worsening, we need to know what's driving this developmental downturn. Is it related to the COVID-19 lockdowns (these children were babies and toddlers in 2020-22)? A reflection of cost-of-living pressures? Changes to the availability of early childhood intervention services or a lack of access to childcare and universal health services? How social media is affecting children's interactions? Are we effectively responding to children and families' changing needs?
The truth is, we just don't have the answers right now. Hopefully, our research in coming months will help unpack cause and effect, but children's developmental needs must be prioritised. We can't relegate these statistics to a 'watch and wait' approach.
In Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's election night speech, he spoke of building an Australia where 'no one is held back, and no one is left behind' — a future we want for all Australian children.
These results don't need to be the canary in the coalmine. We know from previous AEDC data that we can improve how all children and families are supported in the early years. The crucial questions are what can we do right now to help meet children's early development needs? What plans will address these stark and seemingly immutable inequities? We have enough information to embark on evidence-based policy solutions, with remarkable political will — and capital — at the federal and state level.
We recommend five universal or targeted strategies that should be implemented within current policy commitments which include: Ensuring childcare and preschool is of high-quality, equitable and accessible; delivering on foundational supports through inclusive universal health and education that can identify and respond to child and family needs; stacking high-quality and evidence-based services together in integrated hubs; rapidly implementing the Better and Fairer School Agreement funding to disadvantaged schools with evidence-based strategies to deliver holistic support to all children, especially those with additional needs and embedding the right data systems for local improvement, solutions and accountability to rapidly drive real systems change.
There is a moment when we must stop being a spectator and start acting for change. That time is now. Australia must change the status quo if we are to see improvements reflected in the next AEDC in 2027.
Professor Sharon Goldfeld is Theme Director at Murdoch Children's Research Institute; Associate Professor Yasmin Harman-Smith is Head of the Early Years Systems Evidence Team at The Kids Research Institute Australia
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The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Winter viruses can trigger a heart attack or stroke, our study shows
Winter is here, along with cold days and the inevitable seasonal surge in respiratory viruses. But it's not only the sniffles we need to worry about. Heart attacks and strokes also tend to rise during the winter months. In new research out this week we show one reason why. Our study shows catching common respiratory viruses raises your short-term risk of a heart attack or stroke. In other words, common viruses, such as those that cause flu and COVID, can trigger them. Traditional risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and lack of exercise are the main reasons for heart attacks and strokes. And rates of heart attacks and strokes can rise in winter for a number of reasons. Factors such as low temperature, less physical activity, more time spent indoors - perhaps with indoor air pollutants - can affect blood clotting and worsen the effects of traditional risk factors. But our new findings build on those from other researchers to show how respiratory viruses can also be a trigger. The theory is respiratory virus infections set off a heart attack or stroke, rather than directly cause them. If traditional risk factors are like dousing a house in petrol, the viral infection is like the matchstick that ignites the flame. For healthy, young people, a newer, well-kept house is unlikely to spontaneously combust. But an older or even abandoned house with faulty electric wiring needs just a spark to lead to a blaze. People who are particularly vulnerable to a heart attack or stroke triggered by a respiratory virus are those with more than one of those traditional risk factors, especially older people. Our team conducted a meta-analysis (a study of existing studies) to see which respiratory viruses play a role in triggering heart attacks and strokes, and the strength of the link. This meant studying more than 11,000 scientific papers, spanning 40 years of research. Overall, the influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) were the main triggers. If you catch the flu, we found the risk of a heart attack goes up almost 5.4 times and a stroke by 4.7 times compared with not being infected. The danger zone is short - within the first few days or weeks - and tapers off with time after being infected. Catching COVID can also trigger heart attacks and strokes, but there haven't been enough studies to say exactly what the increased risk is. We also found an increased risk of heart attacks or strokes with other viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), enterovirus and cytomegalovirus. But the links are not as strong, probably because these viruses are less commonly detected or tested for. Over a person's lifetime, our bodies wear and tear and the inside wall of our blood vessels becomes rough. Fatty build-ups (plaques) stick easily to these rough areas, inevitably accumulating and causing tight spaces. Generally, blood can still pass through, and these build-ups don't cause issues. Think of this as dousing the house in petrol, but it's not yet alight. So how does a viral infection act like a matchstick to ignite the flame? Through a cascading process of inflammation. High levels of inflammation that follow a viral infection can crack open a plaque. The body activates blood clotting to fix the crack but this clot could inadvertently block a blood vessel completely, causing a heart attack or stroke. Some studies have found fragments of the COVID virus inside the blood clots that cause heart attacks - further evidence to back our findings. We don't know whether younger, healthier people are also at increased risk of a heart attack or stroke after infection with a respiratory virus. That's because people in the studies we analysed were almost always older adults with at least one of those traditional risk factors, so were already vulnerable. The bad news is we will all be vulnerable eventually, just by getting older. The triggers we identified are mostly preventable by vaccination. There is good evidence from clinical trials the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke, especially if someone already has heart problems. We aren't clear exactly how this works. But the theory is that avoiding common infections, or having less severe symptoms, reduces the chances of setting off the inflammatory chain reaction. COVID vaccination could also indirectly protect against heart attacks and strokes. But the evidence is still emerging. Heart attacks and strokes are among Australia's biggest killers. If vaccinations could help reduce even a small fraction of people having a heart attack or stroke, this could bring substantial benefit to their lives, the community, our stressed health system and the economy. At-risk groups should get vaccinated against flu and COVID. Pregnant women, and people over 60 with medical problems, should receive RSV vaccination to reduce their risk of severe disease. So if you are older or have predisposing medical conditions, check Australia's National Immunisation Program to see if you are eligible for a free vaccine. For younger people, a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and balanced diet will set you up for life. Consider checking your heart age (a measure of your risk of heart disease), getting an annual flu vaccine and discuss COVID boosters with your GP. Winter is here, along with cold days and the inevitable seasonal surge in respiratory viruses. But it's not only the sniffles we need to worry about. Heart attacks and strokes also tend to rise during the winter months. In new research out this week we show one reason why. Our study shows catching common respiratory viruses raises your short-term risk of a heart attack or stroke. In other words, common viruses, such as those that cause flu and COVID, can trigger them. Traditional risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and lack of exercise are the main reasons for heart attacks and strokes. And rates of heart attacks and strokes can rise in winter for a number of reasons. Factors such as low temperature, less physical activity, more time spent indoors - perhaps with indoor air pollutants - can affect blood clotting and worsen the effects of traditional risk factors. But our new findings build on those from other researchers to show how respiratory viruses can also be a trigger. The theory is respiratory virus infections set off a heart attack or stroke, rather than directly cause them. If traditional risk factors are like dousing a house in petrol, the viral infection is like the matchstick that ignites the flame. For healthy, young people, a newer, well-kept house is unlikely to spontaneously combust. But an older or even abandoned house with faulty electric wiring needs just a spark to lead to a blaze. People who are particularly vulnerable to a heart attack or stroke triggered by a respiratory virus are those with more than one of those traditional risk factors, especially older people. Our team conducted a meta-analysis (a study of existing studies) to see which respiratory viruses play a role in triggering heart attacks and strokes, and the strength of the link. This meant studying more than 11,000 scientific papers, spanning 40 years of research. Overall, the influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) were the main triggers. If you catch the flu, we found the risk of a heart attack goes up almost 5.4 times and a stroke by 4.7 times compared with not being infected. The danger zone is short - within the first few days or weeks - and tapers off with time after being infected. Catching COVID can also trigger heart attacks and strokes, but there haven't been enough studies to say exactly what the increased risk is. We also found an increased risk of heart attacks or strokes with other viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), enterovirus and cytomegalovirus. But the links are not as strong, probably because these viruses are less commonly detected or tested for. Over a person's lifetime, our bodies wear and tear and the inside wall of our blood vessels becomes rough. Fatty build-ups (plaques) stick easily to these rough areas, inevitably accumulating and causing tight spaces. Generally, blood can still pass through, and these build-ups don't cause issues. Think of this as dousing the house in petrol, but it's not yet alight. So how does a viral infection act like a matchstick to ignite the flame? Through a cascading process of inflammation. High levels of inflammation that follow a viral infection can crack open a plaque. The body activates blood clotting to fix the crack but this clot could inadvertently block a blood vessel completely, causing a heart attack or stroke. Some studies have found fragments of the COVID virus inside the blood clots that cause heart attacks - further evidence to back our findings. We don't know whether younger, healthier people are also at increased risk of a heart attack or stroke after infection with a respiratory virus. That's because people in the studies we analysed were almost always older adults with at least one of those traditional risk factors, so were already vulnerable. The bad news is we will all be vulnerable eventually, just by getting older. The triggers we identified are mostly preventable by vaccination. There is good evidence from clinical trials the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke, especially if someone already has heart problems. We aren't clear exactly how this works. But the theory is that avoiding common infections, or having less severe symptoms, reduces the chances of setting off the inflammatory chain reaction. COVID vaccination could also indirectly protect against heart attacks and strokes. But the evidence is still emerging. Heart attacks and strokes are among Australia's biggest killers. If vaccinations could help reduce even a small fraction of people having a heart attack or stroke, this could bring substantial benefit to their lives, the community, our stressed health system and the economy. At-risk groups should get vaccinated against flu and COVID. Pregnant women, and people over 60 with medical problems, should receive RSV vaccination to reduce their risk of severe disease. So if you are older or have predisposing medical conditions, check Australia's National Immunisation Program to see if you are eligible for a free vaccine. For younger people, a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and balanced diet will set you up for life. Consider checking your heart age (a measure of your risk of heart disease), getting an annual flu vaccine and discuss COVID boosters with your GP. Winter is here, along with cold days and the inevitable seasonal surge in respiratory viruses. But it's not only the sniffles we need to worry about. Heart attacks and strokes also tend to rise during the winter months. In new research out this week we show one reason why. Our study shows catching common respiratory viruses raises your short-term risk of a heart attack or stroke. In other words, common viruses, such as those that cause flu and COVID, can trigger them. Traditional risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and lack of exercise are the main reasons for heart attacks and strokes. And rates of heart attacks and strokes can rise in winter for a number of reasons. Factors such as low temperature, less physical activity, more time spent indoors - perhaps with indoor air pollutants - can affect blood clotting and worsen the effects of traditional risk factors. But our new findings build on those from other researchers to show how respiratory viruses can also be a trigger. The theory is respiratory virus infections set off a heart attack or stroke, rather than directly cause them. If traditional risk factors are like dousing a house in petrol, the viral infection is like the matchstick that ignites the flame. For healthy, young people, a newer, well-kept house is unlikely to spontaneously combust. But an older or even abandoned house with faulty electric wiring needs just a spark to lead to a blaze. People who are particularly vulnerable to a heart attack or stroke triggered by a respiratory virus are those with more than one of those traditional risk factors, especially older people. Our team conducted a meta-analysis (a study of existing studies) to see which respiratory viruses play a role in triggering heart attacks and strokes, and the strength of the link. This meant studying more than 11,000 scientific papers, spanning 40 years of research. Overall, the influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) were the main triggers. If you catch the flu, we found the risk of a heart attack goes up almost 5.4 times and a stroke by 4.7 times compared with not being infected. The danger zone is short - within the first few days or weeks - and tapers off with time after being infected. Catching COVID can also trigger heart attacks and strokes, but there haven't been enough studies to say exactly what the increased risk is. We also found an increased risk of heart attacks or strokes with other viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), enterovirus and cytomegalovirus. But the links are not as strong, probably because these viruses are less commonly detected or tested for. Over a person's lifetime, our bodies wear and tear and the inside wall of our blood vessels becomes rough. Fatty build-ups (plaques) stick easily to these rough areas, inevitably accumulating and causing tight spaces. Generally, blood can still pass through, and these build-ups don't cause issues. Think of this as dousing the house in petrol, but it's not yet alight. So how does a viral infection act like a matchstick to ignite the flame? Through a cascading process of inflammation. High levels of inflammation that follow a viral infection can crack open a plaque. The body activates blood clotting to fix the crack but this clot could inadvertently block a blood vessel completely, causing a heart attack or stroke. Some studies have found fragments of the COVID virus inside the blood clots that cause heart attacks - further evidence to back our findings. We don't know whether younger, healthier people are also at increased risk of a heart attack or stroke after infection with a respiratory virus. That's because people in the studies we analysed were almost always older adults with at least one of those traditional risk factors, so were already vulnerable. The bad news is we will all be vulnerable eventually, just by getting older. The triggers we identified are mostly preventable by vaccination. There is good evidence from clinical trials the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke, especially if someone already has heart problems. We aren't clear exactly how this works. But the theory is that avoiding common infections, or having less severe symptoms, reduces the chances of setting off the inflammatory chain reaction. COVID vaccination could also indirectly protect against heart attacks and strokes. But the evidence is still emerging. Heart attacks and strokes are among Australia's biggest killers. If vaccinations could help reduce even a small fraction of people having a heart attack or stroke, this could bring substantial benefit to their lives, the community, our stressed health system and the economy. At-risk groups should get vaccinated against flu and COVID. Pregnant women, and people over 60 with medical problems, should receive RSV vaccination to reduce their risk of severe disease. So if you are older or have predisposing medical conditions, check Australia's National Immunisation Program to see if you are eligible for a free vaccine. For younger people, a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and balanced diet will set you up for life. Consider checking your heart age (a measure of your risk of heart disease), getting an annual flu vaccine and discuss COVID boosters with your GP. Winter is here, along with cold days and the inevitable seasonal surge in respiratory viruses. But it's not only the sniffles we need to worry about. Heart attacks and strokes also tend to rise during the winter months. In new research out this week we show one reason why. Our study shows catching common respiratory viruses raises your short-term risk of a heart attack or stroke. In other words, common viruses, such as those that cause flu and COVID, can trigger them. Traditional risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and lack of exercise are the main reasons for heart attacks and strokes. And rates of heart attacks and strokes can rise in winter for a number of reasons. Factors such as low temperature, less physical activity, more time spent indoors - perhaps with indoor air pollutants - can affect blood clotting and worsen the effects of traditional risk factors. But our new findings build on those from other researchers to show how respiratory viruses can also be a trigger. The theory is respiratory virus infections set off a heart attack or stroke, rather than directly cause them. If traditional risk factors are like dousing a house in petrol, the viral infection is like the matchstick that ignites the flame. For healthy, young people, a newer, well-kept house is unlikely to spontaneously combust. But an older or even abandoned house with faulty electric wiring needs just a spark to lead to a blaze. People who are particularly vulnerable to a heart attack or stroke triggered by a respiratory virus are those with more than one of those traditional risk factors, especially older people. Our team conducted a meta-analysis (a study of existing studies) to see which respiratory viruses play a role in triggering heart attacks and strokes, and the strength of the link. This meant studying more than 11,000 scientific papers, spanning 40 years of research. Overall, the influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) were the main triggers. If you catch the flu, we found the risk of a heart attack goes up almost 5.4 times and a stroke by 4.7 times compared with not being infected. The danger zone is short - within the first few days or weeks - and tapers off with time after being infected. Catching COVID can also trigger heart attacks and strokes, but there haven't been enough studies to say exactly what the increased risk is. We also found an increased risk of heart attacks or strokes with other viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), enterovirus and cytomegalovirus. But the links are not as strong, probably because these viruses are less commonly detected or tested for. Over a person's lifetime, our bodies wear and tear and the inside wall of our blood vessels becomes rough. Fatty build-ups (plaques) stick easily to these rough areas, inevitably accumulating and causing tight spaces. Generally, blood can still pass through, and these build-ups don't cause issues. Think of this as dousing the house in petrol, but it's not yet alight. So how does a viral infection act like a matchstick to ignite the flame? Through a cascading process of inflammation. High levels of inflammation that follow a viral infection can crack open a plaque. The body activates blood clotting to fix the crack but this clot could inadvertently block a blood vessel completely, causing a heart attack or stroke. Some studies have found fragments of the COVID virus inside the blood clots that cause heart attacks - further evidence to back our findings. We don't know whether younger, healthier people are also at increased risk of a heart attack or stroke after infection with a respiratory virus. That's because people in the studies we analysed were almost always older adults with at least one of those traditional risk factors, so were already vulnerable. The bad news is we will all be vulnerable eventually, just by getting older. The triggers we identified are mostly preventable by vaccination. There is good evidence from clinical trials the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke, especially if someone already has heart problems. We aren't clear exactly how this works. But the theory is that avoiding common infections, or having less severe symptoms, reduces the chances of setting off the inflammatory chain reaction. COVID vaccination could also indirectly protect against heart attacks and strokes. But the evidence is still emerging. Heart attacks and strokes are among Australia's biggest killers. If vaccinations could help reduce even a small fraction of people having a heart attack or stroke, this could bring substantial benefit to their lives, the community, our stressed health system and the economy. At-risk groups should get vaccinated against flu and COVID. Pregnant women, and people over 60 with medical problems, should receive RSV vaccination to reduce their risk of severe disease. So if you are older or have predisposing medical conditions, check Australia's National Immunisation Program to see if you are eligible for a free vaccine. For younger people, a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and balanced diet will set you up for life. Consider checking your heart age (a measure of your risk of heart disease), getting an annual flu vaccine and discuss COVID boosters with your GP.
7NEWS
8 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Doctors sound alarm over microplastics as health and environmental fears mount
Microplastics have infiltrated nearly every corner of life — they're in our food and drinks, in the clothes we wear, and even in the air we breathe. Even newborns aren't immune, according to former Australian Medical Association president, Steve Robson. '(Microplastics) been detected in breast milk and even in baby poo of newborn babies,' professor Robson told 7NEWS, adding they 'can even affect our reproductive system'. 'What it's doing to our bodies is really frightening me.' A growing body of research has experts sounding the alarm on the potential health impacts of microplastic exposure. The University of Sydney published a major study on the topic showing that microplastics are 'building up in all types of tissues and cells within the human body'. 'Also with the digestive system, we found links to characteristics associated with cancer,' said the university's senior research fellow, Nicholas Chartres. 'We also found that they also impact things like respiratory health — so lung function — but also increasing chronic inflammation in the lung and also again with potential links to things like lung cancer.' An international treaty involving 175 countries is currently being finalised to combat global plastic pollution. But Chartres and a team of leading experts say environmental action must be matched with policies to protect human health. The are calling for a global cap on plastic production and legally binding requirements to ensure plastics are free from toxic chemicals, and taken aim at big companies and countries who are delaying reforms. 'We can't recycle our way out of the problem,' Chartres told 7NEWS. 'All we're doing essentially is continuing the cycle of exposing ourselves to these hazardous chemicals.' The team has also called attention to single-use plastics in healthcare, which surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Robson says a review into healthcare is important. 'We need to think really carefully about how to refocus the health system to minimise the risk to patients and to the staff providing care,' Robson said. If the world fails to act, experts have predicted a dire future. 'Unfortunately, for generations to come there is going to be a growing burden of disease due to plastics,' Chartres said.
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Alarm as destructive tree pest threatens to go national
Biosecurity officials are admitting defeat, saying it is no longer possible to wipe out a destructive species of tree-boring pest from a city's parks. The polyphagous shot-hole borer has proven too tough to handle as the Western Australian government announces it will transition to managing the pest rather than eradication strategies. "The chief plant biosecurity officers from around Australia (initially) determined that eradication was possible," WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said on Thursday. The southeast Asian native pest was first identified in Perth in 2021 and tunnels into the trunks and branches of a wide range of species, including Australian native paperbarks and eucalypts. The only effective treatment for affected trees is removal with thousands of trees having suffered the fate in Perth parks, including Kings Park and Hyde Park, and many more likely to follow. "Protecting Perth's tree canopy and our valuable horticulture sector from shot-hole borer remains front and centre for WA," Ms Jarvis said. While the insect is confined to the Perth metropolitan area, the news it can no longer be wiped out has horticulture experts concerned about a national spread. "This is tragic news not just for Western Australia, but potentially for native trees, towns and cities, and the horticultural industry across the entire country," Invasive Species Council policy director Carol Booth said. "Hundreds of native species across the country could be at risk if the borer spreads. "The regular arrival of harmful new invaders shows our prevention systems are not strong enough." Dr Booth expressed concern about the impact of the borer on the urban tree canopy, saying risks to habitats and human health were "immense" if the spread was not contained. Thursday's state budget allocated $26.5 million to the amended borer management plan. But the shift in strategy hasn't gone down well on the other side of the political aisle, with the WA opposition saying the minister must go. "Minister Jarvis has admitted she failed to keep Western Australia protected," shadow agriculture minister Lachlan Hunter said. "That is an extraordinary admission of failure, and she should resign." Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas called on Premier Roger Cook to step in should Ms Jarvis refuse to step down. "The premier should stand up, accept responsibility on behalf of the government and sack Minister Jarvis," Mr Zempilas said. Biosecurity officials are admitting defeat, saying it is no longer possible to wipe out a destructive species of tree-boring pest from a city's parks. The polyphagous shot-hole borer has proven too tough to handle as the Western Australian government announces it will transition to managing the pest rather than eradication strategies. "The chief plant biosecurity officers from around Australia (initially) determined that eradication was possible," WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said on Thursday. The southeast Asian native pest was first identified in Perth in 2021 and tunnels into the trunks and branches of a wide range of species, including Australian native paperbarks and eucalypts. The only effective treatment for affected trees is removal with thousands of trees having suffered the fate in Perth parks, including Kings Park and Hyde Park, and many more likely to follow. "Protecting Perth's tree canopy and our valuable horticulture sector from shot-hole borer remains front and centre for WA," Ms Jarvis said. While the insect is confined to the Perth metropolitan area, the news it can no longer be wiped out has horticulture experts concerned about a national spread. "This is tragic news not just for Western Australia, but potentially for native trees, towns and cities, and the horticultural industry across the entire country," Invasive Species Council policy director Carol Booth said. "Hundreds of native species across the country could be at risk if the borer spreads. "The regular arrival of harmful new invaders shows our prevention systems are not strong enough." Dr Booth expressed concern about the impact of the borer on the urban tree canopy, saying risks to habitats and human health were "immense" if the spread was not contained. Thursday's state budget allocated $26.5 million to the amended borer management plan. But the shift in strategy hasn't gone down well on the other side of the political aisle, with the WA opposition saying the minister must go. "Minister Jarvis has admitted she failed to keep Western Australia protected," shadow agriculture minister Lachlan Hunter said. "That is an extraordinary admission of failure, and she should resign." Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas called on Premier Roger Cook to step in should Ms Jarvis refuse to step down. "The premier should stand up, accept responsibility on behalf of the government and sack Minister Jarvis," Mr Zempilas said. Biosecurity officials are admitting defeat, saying it is no longer possible to wipe out a destructive species of tree-boring pest from a city's parks. The polyphagous shot-hole borer has proven too tough to handle as the Western Australian government announces it will transition to managing the pest rather than eradication strategies. "The chief plant biosecurity officers from around Australia (initially) determined that eradication was possible," WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said on Thursday. The southeast Asian native pest was first identified in Perth in 2021 and tunnels into the trunks and branches of a wide range of species, including Australian native paperbarks and eucalypts. The only effective treatment for affected trees is removal with thousands of trees having suffered the fate in Perth parks, including Kings Park and Hyde Park, and many more likely to follow. "Protecting Perth's tree canopy and our valuable horticulture sector from shot-hole borer remains front and centre for WA," Ms Jarvis said. While the insect is confined to the Perth metropolitan area, the news it can no longer be wiped out has horticulture experts concerned about a national spread. "This is tragic news not just for Western Australia, but potentially for native trees, towns and cities, and the horticultural industry across the entire country," Invasive Species Council policy director Carol Booth said. "Hundreds of native species across the country could be at risk if the borer spreads. "The regular arrival of harmful new invaders shows our prevention systems are not strong enough." Dr Booth expressed concern about the impact of the borer on the urban tree canopy, saying risks to habitats and human health were "immense" if the spread was not contained. Thursday's state budget allocated $26.5 million to the amended borer management plan. But the shift in strategy hasn't gone down well on the other side of the political aisle, with the WA opposition saying the minister must go. "Minister Jarvis has admitted she failed to keep Western Australia protected," shadow agriculture minister Lachlan Hunter said. "That is an extraordinary admission of failure, and she should resign." Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas called on Premier Roger Cook to step in should Ms Jarvis refuse to step down. "The premier should stand up, accept responsibility on behalf of the government and sack Minister Jarvis," Mr Zempilas said. Biosecurity officials are admitting defeat, saying it is no longer possible to wipe out a destructive species of tree-boring pest from a city's parks. The polyphagous shot-hole borer has proven too tough to handle as the Western Australian government announces it will transition to managing the pest rather than eradication strategies. "The chief plant biosecurity officers from around Australia (initially) determined that eradication was possible," WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said on Thursday. The southeast Asian native pest was first identified in Perth in 2021 and tunnels into the trunks and branches of a wide range of species, including Australian native paperbarks and eucalypts. The only effective treatment for affected trees is removal with thousands of trees having suffered the fate in Perth parks, including Kings Park and Hyde Park, and many more likely to follow. "Protecting Perth's tree canopy and our valuable horticulture sector from shot-hole borer remains front and centre for WA," Ms Jarvis said. While the insect is confined to the Perth metropolitan area, the news it can no longer be wiped out has horticulture experts concerned about a national spread. "This is tragic news not just for Western Australia, but potentially for native trees, towns and cities, and the horticultural industry across the entire country," Invasive Species Council policy director Carol Booth said. "Hundreds of native species across the country could be at risk if the borer spreads. "The regular arrival of harmful new invaders shows our prevention systems are not strong enough." Dr Booth expressed concern about the impact of the borer on the urban tree canopy, saying risks to habitats and human health were "immense" if the spread was not contained. Thursday's state budget allocated $26.5 million to the amended borer management plan. But the shift in strategy hasn't gone down well on the other side of the political aisle, with the WA opposition saying the minister must go. "Minister Jarvis has admitted she failed to keep Western Australia protected," shadow agriculture minister Lachlan Hunter said. "That is an extraordinary admission of failure, and she should resign." Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas called on Premier Roger Cook to step in should Ms Jarvis refuse to step down. "The premier should stand up, accept responsibility on behalf of the government and sack Minister Jarvis," Mr Zempilas said.
