Major $24 million move to tackle 'ticking time bomb' threatening Australia
Reece Pianta from the Invasive Species Council (ISC) said the Queensland government needed to "ramp up" its eradication plan, warning the risk of fire ants from completely spreading across the country was one bad weather event away after the floods caused by Cyclone Alfred caused alarming movement.
It comes after Yahoo News reported a Brisbane teenager was hospitalised when fire ant stings set off a life-threatening allergic reaction, which highlighted the devastating threat the invasive species has on Aussies.
After the announcement of the increased funding on Monday, Pianta told Yahoo News it was definitely a step in the right direction — but much more had to be done.
"This is targeted funding to help manage fire ants in the suppression zone where we're starting to see significant reports of fire ant sting events on humans and animals," he told Yahoo.
"But containment is not a long-term solution... the ants only need to find a way through the containment boundary to a new location. The quicker we eradicate them, the more secure the country will be against the risk."
The Queensland funding will be rolled out over two years and focus on the areas where fire ants have already inhabited, such as southeast areas of the state. The funds are on top of the $38 million already committed over five years.
The federal government's fire ant eradication plan involves injecting $592 million over four years and will focus heavily on the detection and treatment of the ants in the containment area. However, the ISC fears this won't be enough.
"It isn't just a problem for Queensland, this is a problem for the whole nation... there's a huge risk of them spreading and getting out of control," Pianta said. "It needs to be an election issue.
"It's getting worse... we're starting to get regular reports from people in the community that fire ants are allegedly stinging pets and humans... we're starting to see the predicted health and animal welfare impacts from fire ants."
🏡 Property owners called to action over 'world's worst' invasive threat
🚨 Photo reveals 'devastating' threat fenced off as Australia on high alert
👶 Strangers find Aussie toddler wandering alone, covered in ants
There are increasingly more Aussies starting to have run-ins with fire ants as the insects establish themselves in southeast Queensland, with more than 50 Queenslanders experiencing fire ant stings since Cyclone Alfred alone, according to the ISC.
A Brisbane teenager was hospitalised after fire ant stings set off a life-threatening allergic reaction. There have also been reports of pets such as dogs and horses being stung.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
a day ago
- Time Business News
Regaining Confidence In The Bathroom: How A Bath Lift Can Change Daily Life
There's something deeply personal about bathing. It's not just about hygiene—it's a moment of pause. A quiet soak. A reset. But for many older Australians, or those living with a disability, the bathroom slowly becomes a place of hesitation. Even fear. Slippery floors. Awkward steps. That nervous shuffle before getting in the tub. And that's where CHS Healthcare bath lifts quietly step in. Not flashy. Not loud. But surprisingly powerful in the way they give something meaningful back—confidence. Sure, reducing falls is huge. We all know the stats—bathrooms are one of the highest-risk zones in the house. A sudden slip while stepping into the tub can spiral fast. For older adults or those with limited mobility, it can be the difference between maintaining independence and requiring constant assistance. But bath lifts aren't just a safety feature. They're a dignity thing. A freedom thing. Think about it. Being able to bathe without needing someone hovering awkwardly nearby? Or worse—having to be lifted in and out by a carer? It changes how you feel in your skin. One woman told me recently how her bath felt like a battleground. She avoided it, opting for quick showers instead, despite loving the relief of soaking her arthritis-stiffened joints. But after her OT recommended a bath lift? Game-changer. Now she reads her book in the tub again. Light a candle. No drama. Just a quiet reclaiming of routine. That's the thing about bath lifts. They don't feel revolutionary on the surface. Just a seat, right? Something that gently lowers and raises you. But the ripple effect is enormous. A few types are floating around (no pun intended). Most are battery-powered, with a waterproof remote that raises or lowers the seat. Some have backrests that recline. Others are super compact, perfect for smaller Aussie bathrooms. You sit on the lift at the edge of the tub. Press the button. Down you go—gently. Once you're in, the seat stays flush with the bottom of the bath so you can stretch out. When you're done, it brings you right back up. No drama. No awkward leaning or grabbing. And yes—bath lifts are designed to be safe in water and built for this exact purpose. No DIY shortcuts or makeshift chairs (please don't try that route). Here's the thing: many bath lifts are portable. No tools. No drilling. You can remove them if needed, which makes them ideal for renters or people in short-term care settings. Want to take it with you on a family holiday? You probably can. That said, always check the model. Some lifts are heavier. Some are designed for specific tub shapes. It's not quite one-size-fits-all—but close. Yep. If you're a participant and have mobility challenges that affect your personal care routines, bath lifts might be covered under Assistive Technology. You'll likely need an OT assessment, a quote, maybe a bit of paperwork—but it's doable. And honestly, if it means safer, more comfortable bathing? Worth the process. Big time. Lifting someone in and out of a tub isn't just risky for the person being helped—it puts the carer's back, shoulders, and sanity at risk too. With bath lifts, the strain is taken out of the equation. Transfers become less about brute force and more about gentle support, providing a much-needed relief and peace of mind to the caregiver. It's just a better dynamic all around. Let's be real—bath lifts aren't suitable for everyone. If someone can't sit upright or doesn't have enough trunk control, a hoist might be more appropriate. That's why having an OT involved is crucial. They'll assess posture, strength, bathroom layout, and recommend the right gear, providing you with the reassurance and confidence in your choice. But for those in that middle ground—where strength is there, but confidence is shaky—bath lifts are often the perfect bridge. There's a kind of grief that can come when something simple—like bathing—starts feeling difficult. Or worse, unsafe. People begin to avoid it. Or need help and feel embarrassed by that. Slowly, routines shrink. Bath lifts from CHS Healthcare don't just bring safety. They bring back options. Control. Comfort. And yeah—confidence. They restore a sense of empowerment and independence, making you feel more in control of your daily routine. Whether you're a support worker, a family member, or someone navigating these challenges firsthand, it's worth looking at these quiet little devices. Not just for what they do. But for what they give back. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
Steve Irwin's daughter Bindi shares major health update amidst her long battle with chronic disease
Bindi Irwin has given a heartwarming update in her long battle with endometriosis following her diagnosis in 2023, which came after a decade of chronic pain. In a post on Instagram, Irwin went into detail about her years-long struggle and revealed that after her latest surgery she is 'finally' beginning to feel like she is 'healing' for the first time. '51 endometriosis lesions, a cyst, and my appendix were all removed across two surgeries with @seckinmd. My hernia from giving birth that was unzipping – was taken care of. I can FINALLY say that I'm feeling better. Genuinely healing.' 5 Bindi Irwin shares an update on her battle with endometriosis. Instagram/@bindisueirwin Irwin previously underwent emergency surgery in May, which meant she missed a gala honoring her late father. 'I can function in everyday life without wanting to throw up or pass out from the pain. Slowly, slowly gaining my strength back,' her latest post continued. 'I cannot express the gravity of my emotions as I am beginning to recognise myself again. 5 Irwin's emergency surgery in May led to her missing a gala honoring her late father. Getty Images 5 'I cannot express the gravity of my emotions as I am beginning to recognise myself again,' Irwin said about her recovery. Instagram/@bindisueirwin 'I felt utterly ashamed as a teenager and young adult being told that my pain was just part of being a woman. 'I felt lesser. I felt hurt. I felt weak. That is not OK.' She concluded: 'Young girls and women shouldn't feel alone with pain in the driver's seat of their lives. 'We need to take away the stigma of talking about women's health. It's time to have open discussions and make change on a global scale.' Last year, Irwin shared that she had been suffering for years with endometriosis. Her story quickly resonated with hundreds of thousands of other Aussie women who had been struggling in silence. 5 The late Steve Irwin with daughter Bindi Irwin and 'Bazzle' the python snake at Australia Zoo. Newspix via Getty Images While she was nervous to open up publicly, she's now grateful she was brave enough to do so. 'It is scary when you open up about your most vulnerable and painful times, when you talk about when you felt you were sitting in a very large hole and didn't know if you were going to crawl out,' she told Courier Mail. Before she shared her story, Irwin revealed that she struggled with people judging her without being aware of the battle she was fighting privately. 5 'It took me so long to talk about it, nobody knew what was happening to me except my mum (Terri Irwin), my brother Robert and my husband Chandler (Powell),' she said. Getty Images 'It took me so long to talk about it, nobody knew what was happening to me except my mum (Terri Irwin), my brother Robert and my husband Chandler (Powell). 'Everyone else thought I was becoming this flaky person because I would bow out of commitment after commitment at the last minute because I was in so much pain,' she added before explaining how uncomfortable she was with being asked when she planned on having more children. 'When I went through endo and people would ask, 'When are you and Chandler having another child?' I used to think, 'If you could see on the outside what it feels like on the inside you would never ask.' It would completely change the way you approach somebody. 'You know, some people don't want another child, some can't have another child, and some people have gone through enormous loss and heartbreak before they have their much wanted child.' She then paused, before adding: 'I think you have to be kind in every part of life. If you have the urge to ask, take a second. If someone has good news to share, they'll share it.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Bitter tasting vegetable linked to surprising health benefits: 'So much potential'
Vegetables and spices readily available at markets and grocers around Australia can have a significant impact on our bodies, but scientists have yet to fully explore their health potential. Dipa Kamdar is a senior lecturer in pharmacy practice at Kingston University in London, and she's becoming increasingly interested in the nutritional content of foods from Asia and Africa that are being regularly adopted in modern Western cooking. 'I think there's so much potential in foods and herbs and spices, but we've probably only explored the top layer,' she told Yahoo News Australia. One of the foods she's interested in is bitter melon, a long, green, bumpy fruit that's often paired with garlic and pork in Chinese cooking, or fried in traditional Indian curries. Kamdar became intrigued by its health potential when her father-in-law revealed he was mixing its extract into drinks to help his diabetes. 'Scientists have tried to see what the active compounds are in bitter melon, to see what is helping diabetes, and they think it could be mimicking insulin. But the data on it is limited,' she said. Anyone with health concerns should consult a doctor before eating bitter melon because it can negatively impact the health of pregnant women, people with hyperglycemia, or those with damage to their liver or kidneys. And it should only be eaten when it's green, well before it turns orange and splits open to reveal its seeds. While bitter melon vines are easy to grow, they can become an invasive pest. And some councils warn it can out-compete native vegetation. Are bad-tasting foods good for us? Kamdar's research into the health properties of foods has found that many with a bitter taste 'show promise' in terms of their mineral properties. 'A lot of the spices and vegetables that taste the worst for most people tend to be more therapeutic compared with the sweeter ones,' she said. Due to her own cultural background, Kamdar is increasingly interested in foods that feature in India's traditional medicine, a practice that goes back more than 3,000 years. 'What we do know is that it's generally quite safe to eat most foods in culinary amounts, but when you start taking specific supplements, that's when people need to be really careful, particularly if they're taking other medicines. 'For instance, someone on diabetes medication would need to be careful their blood glucose doesn't drop too low if they're eating bitter melon.' Ancient claim about rosemary may be true While it's possible to standardise doses of medications like paracetamol, it's much harder with natural foods. Growing conditions, varieties of the plants themselves, and how old they are can all play a role. 'There's so much variability, it's very hard to standardise foods across different batches,' Kamdar said. Fears grow about silent siblings with the rise of social media sperm donations Two siblings among latest child deaths as devastating outbreak grips Pacific Toxic chemicals in simple household items pose worrying 'threat' Limited research into foods appears to indicate that some ancient legends about plants are sometimes grounded in truth. For instance, rosemary is traditionally worn for 'remembrance', particularly at funerals, and there are some indications that its scent can help improve memory tasks. 'Ashwagandha seems very good for stress, anxiety, and potentially sleep. There have been limited trials that show it could be beneficial,' she said. 'A lot of these food ideas I get from my mother, and I try to test things on myself. My cholesterol is a little bit high, and recently I've been having fenugreek and carum seeds, and it seems to have come down. 'A lot of foods have an effect. For colds and flu, it's pretty well-known that turmeric, honey, lemon and ginger are good natural remedies.' Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
