Watchdog slams State over poor response to deadly Hendra virus

QUEENSLAND'S Ombudsman has found systematic failures in the State Government's handling of Hendra virus outbreaks.

In a scathing report released Thursday morning, Ombudsman Phil Clarke found policies and procedures were outdated, quarantine practices were inconsistent and there was inadequate communication with vets and horse owners.

The Government had also failed to implement recommendations from previous internal and external reports and did not properly strain staff, contractors and property owners.

That hampered the way government agencies could respond, he found.

The report focused on the handling of six Hendra incidents between 2006 and 2009, but did not consider more recent outbreaks.

"While much work has been done by the agencies concerned and the response systems are rapidly maturing, more needs to be done as a matter of priority before the next Hendra incident," Mr Clarke said.

He also found decision-making was not properly recorded and there was inadequate framework to arrange compensation.

Mr Clarke made 74 recommendations to improve the response.

His two-year investigation largely centred on Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland Health and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

heraldsun.com.au 3 Nov 2011

Another example of government failure in the execution of strategies to protect its citizens.

An example of how Australian's taxes are not making their way into infrastructure, but rather into the pockets of politicians and their crony mates.

As long as Australia is the highest taxed country to support the scams of politicians is all that matters.