Opposition leader Peter Dutton is calling on Australia to close its border to Indonesia to stop the spread of foot and mouth disease. 

The livestock disease could devastate Australia’s livestock industry and rural communities and could even cost the economy up to $80 billion, with some farming groups calling on the federal government to suspend travel between Bali and Australia.

Mr Dutton has confirmed to Ben Fordham “I believe we should shut the border”.

“But I think the Prime Minister needs to explain why that has not happened.”

Press PLAY below to hear more

All travellers arriving from Indonesia will have to walk across mats to sanitise their shoes.

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce went head-to-head with Mr Watt on Sunrise over the government’s response.

My Joyce told Ben Fordham “it’s just negligent incompetence”.

“If the risk is there, you must stop it. You must close the borders. The alternative is that there is no alternative.

“People will think this is just about farmers – it’s not, it is about you and your cost of living.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview