A $1.5million light show, baby milk donors and a new war on ANTS: The bizarre things the government wants to spend YOUR money on following the Budget
- Taxpayers' money to be spent on list of bizarre projects by federal government
- There were some surprises in 2019-20 Budget handed down on Tuesday night
- Projects range from festivals to Australian TV content for Pacific neighbours
The federal budget isn't all about tax cuts and spending on roads, infrastructure, national security, and hospitals.
The 2019-20 federal budget will splurge taxpayers' money on a long list of bizarre projects, from a festival light show in Tasmania and a fruit and vegetable court of appeal to eradicating pesky ants and easier access to donor milk for premature newborns.
There's bad news for Australia's ant population with $18.3 million allocated towards eradicating red imported fire ants, while additional $9.2 million towards controlling the yellow crazy ant numbers in North Queensland.
More funding will go towards eradicating Australia's ant population, Pictured is the destructive red imported fire ant, one of the world's most invasive species
Originally from South America, red fire ants were first detected in Queensland in 2001 and are regarded as a severe threat to Australia’s biodiversity.
International Union for Conservation of Nature lists them as one of the world's most invasive species.
Yellow crazy ants have also caused extensive ecological damage and are also regarded by the IUCN one of the top 100 worst invasive species.
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Another $1.3 million will be spent on wiping out the Argentine ant on Norfolk Island.
But there's great news for the Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) which hopes to attract more visitors to its Dark Mofo festival with a spectacular new light show, thanks to a $1.5 million injection from the federal government.
The popular event is a midwinter version to MONA's annual Festival Of Music and Art in Hobart each January.
The annual Dark Mofo festival (pictured) in Hobart was a bigger winner in 2019-20 Budget
Premature newborns will have better access to donor breast milk thanks to a $2 million boost to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service.
More than 4000 Australian babies each year are born at least eight weeks earlier than the 40 week full term.
The World Health Organisation recommends breast milk for premature babies to give them the best chance of survival and believes the funding could prevent up to 20 newborn deaths each year.
A research program will also look into the benefits of donor milk.
Premature babies will better access to donor breast milk (pictured), thanks to the budget
Meanwhile, a new fruit and vegetable Court of Appeal will be established to review decisions in disputes between supermarkets and suppliers under the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, while a new Postal Industry Ombudsman will investigate complaints about postal services.
The struggling live music industry will boosted by a $30.9 million injection of federal funding, while more aspiring female pilots will be able to spread their wings thanks to $4million funding boost to increase their participation in the male-dominated aviation industry.
Our Pacific neighbours will also get an extra 1000 hours of Australian television content, courtesy of a $17.1 million funding boost.
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