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“I stand with Australian banana farmers like Steve Lizzio” said Senator Susan Macdonald. Photo source: Senator Susan Macdonald
Senator Susan McDonald has joined North Queensland banana growers in opposing the potential importation of fresh bananas from the Philippines, declaring: “No banana imports, Albo!”
The comments come as the Federal Government assesses the Philippines’ request to consider alternative biosecurity measures for importing fresh Cavendish bananas into Australia.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) completed a technical visit to the Philippines in March and commenced a regulated Biosecurity Import Risk Analysis (BIRA) in June. A draft report is expected to be released for public consultation in the first half of 2027, although DAFF says the timing is indicative and subject to change.
During the March visit, DAFF officials inspected five banana farms operated by four companies across Davao del Norte, Bukidnon and Davao de Oro.
According to DAFF’s report, the farms ranged from 26 to 546 hectares and all were exporting Cavendish bananas. Moko, black Sigatoka, banana freckle and Panama disease Tropical Race 4 (TR4) were observed to be present at the farms visited.
Moko and black Sigatoka are significant biosecurity concerns for Australia, while banana freckle and Panama TR4 are already present in Australia and subject to biosecurity management measures.
For Far North Queensland growers, the findings have heightened concerns about the potential biosecurity consequences of allowing Philippine bananas into the Australian market.
Banana Imports Committee chair and Far North Queensland grower Paul Inderbitzin said the report did not indicate that Australia’s existing biosecurity standards should change.
“There is nothing in this report that gives any indication that our current biosecurity standards should change, or that the Philippines could meet our appropriate level of protection,” Mr Inderbitzin said.
“The diseases present at every one of the farms they visited, particularly Moko and black Sigatoka, could virtually wipe-out the Australian industry.”
The Australian banana industry produced 368,701 tonnes of bananas worth $719.4 million in 2024–25, with Queensland accounting for about 94 per cent of national production.
“Our argument, at its core, is pretty simple,” Mr Inderbitzin said.
“Right now every banana you buy is grown by an Australian farmer.
“We don’t need banana imports.”
The regulated BIRA process will continue, with DAFF stating that alternative measures would only be considered acceptable if they effectively manage biosecurity risks to Australia’s appropriate level of protection.
Australia currently does not permit the importation of fresh bananas from any market.
A draft report is expected in the first half of 2027.
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