Australian Opposition Leader Calls for Border Closure With Indonesia Over Foot and Mouth Threat

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton addresses the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia on Nov. 26, 2021. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

With foot and mouth disease now present across 22 provinces in Indonesia and fragments of the virus found in Australia, Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton has joined fellow opposition members of parliament David Littleproud, Karen Andrews, and Barnaby Joyce in calling for Australia to close its border to the southeast Asian nation.

However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Agriculture Minister Murray Wyatt argue that a border closure is unnecessary as no live virus has been found downunder and the government has strong biosecurity measures in place.