Setbacks and questionable practices could be allowing fire ants to spread. 

It has been disclosed that government contractors, tasked with eliminating the notorious fire ant menace, were reportedly indulging in as many as six “smoko breaks” per day. 

The approach to work came to light through internal documents obtained by the ABC, where one exasperated customer lamented that fire ant workers seemed to prefer these leisurely breaks over actual pest control efforts.

Residents, anticipating prompt assistance, have been left waiting for months while fire ant nests continue to spread unchecked. Others have reported that workers sprayed only a fraction of their property before abruptly departing, leaving the rest of the nests untouched.

The red imported fire ants, regarded as among the planet's worst invasive species, have managed to breach containment zones in Queensland on six occasions over the past six weeks. 

These incursions have spurred the expansion of biosecurity controls along the New South Wales border, as the ants have been detected just 5.5 kilometres from it. 

A strategic review conducted almost two years ago highlighted the necessity for an “urgent change of strategy” to prevent the uncontrolled expansion of the red imported fire ants. 

It suggested allocating up to $300 million annually to extinguish this threat before the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. 

However, funding remains a contentious issue, with discrepancies between state agriculture ministers causing delays in the necessary response.