PSA Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright has contrasted the State Government’s announcement of action on invasive species with its plan to cut roles.

Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty announced a plan to combat invasive species would involve training about 200 additional staff to combat weeds and pests such as fire ants and cane toads.

However, Mr Wright said this is the same minister who earlier announced about 160 cuts to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, a move he said was “ an audacious attempt to trick the agricultural sector into believing 200 staff were going to be hired to help combat fire ants, varroa mite and other biohazards”.