Something to declare - 100 years of quarantine

You are here : About Us > For The Media > Philatelic Media Releases > 100 years of quarantine

Australia Post is marking the centenary of quarantine legislation in Australia with the release of a stamp that highlights the ongoing importance of quarantine to the nation.

The Australian Government passed the Quarantine Act in March 1908 and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) has been working hard ever since to minimise the risk of exotic pests and diseases entering the country.

The 50 cent stamp that celebrates this milestone features an AQIS detector dog at an Australian airport with his handler holding a pineapple and the words “Quarantine Matters”. The pineapple is an example of Australian primary industries that are still vulnerable to the introduction of overseas pests and diseases.

A special sheetlet with multiple tab designs has also been developed to depict the diverse range of overseas pests and diseases AQIS try to keep out.

“The AQIS detector dogs at our airports, like the beagle on this stamp, are part of a long history of preventing the introduction of destructive pests into our environment which can threaten our primary industries and our native flora and fauna” said Mr Noel Leahy, Group Manager Philatelic, Australia Post.

“With Australia’s primary industries contributing billions of dollars to the modern Australian economy, quarantine matters now as much as it ever did.”

AQIS' many achievements over the last 100 years include bringing classical swine fever under control in 1961, eliminating pleuro-pneumonia in 1967 and eradicating the African snail in 1980.

The Centenary of Quarantine stamps are available from 15 July at participating Australia Post outlets and via mail order on 1800 331 794. Stamps are available in several collectible formats including first day covers, stamp pack, maxicards, sheetlets, postal and numismatic cover and rolls of stamps.