Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, is calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to commit to killing off the carp in the Murray-Darling Basin if they form government following the May 3rd Federal Election.

“One of these two men will be PM (Prime Minister) after May 3rd,” Ms Dalton, Member for Murray said.

“The first thing either of them should do is rescue the Murray-Darling Basin from carp infestations.”

For many years Government bureaucrats have planned for the release of the Carp virus Cyprinid Herpesvirus 3 which causes a fatal disease in carp known as Koi Herpesvirus Disease.

But so far, neither Labor, nor the Coalition, have given the go-ahead for this to happen, leaving the Murray Darling Basin choked by carp infestations, according to the outspoken independent Member for Murray.

“Carp are the ultimate home-invaders,” Helen said.

“They were introduced from overseas, and these foreign pests kill our native Australian fish and ruin our rivers.”

“They breed like rabbits and it’s time to clean the carp away, once and for all.”

“This bureaucratic dilly-dallying must end now. We’ve been talking about killing the carp for years. It’s time to act.”

“If Prime Minister Albanese, or Prime Minister Dutton releases this safe, tested virus once they have been elected, we could have carp-free rivers in a matter of months,” Ms Dalton said.

“We must reclaim our rivers from this deadly foreign pest, which is why I am asking both men to tell the people of Australia whether they will kill off the carp immediately following the election.”

“Voters have a right to know what they plan to do about the carp, before we all cast our vote on the 3rd of May.”