QUESTION What specific tests were performed to establish that the documented H5N1 appearance on Australian soil was in fact a H5N1 pathogenic avian influenza infection. According to the document 'National plan for the surveillance of avian influenza for human health' (published 22 June 2026) whole genome sequencing should be performed for any samples suspected of pathogenic avian influenza. When was this test performed on this sample and which laboratory performed the test. What are the BioProject, BioSample, GenBank, GISAID, and SRA accession numbers associated with the reported H5N1 cases. If the diagnosis of H5N1 avian influenza was made on the basis of a PCR test rather than whole genome sequencing: what PCR primer and probe sequences were used for such PCR tests; who was the supplier of the PCR primer and probe sequences; and what Ct values were used in the tests performed to establish the diagnosis. On what date was the document 'National plan for the surveillance of avian influenza for human health' (v1.0 reviewed May 2026) commissioned, and by whom. How many drafts or previous revisions exist of the document 'National plan for the surveillance of avian influenza for human health' prior to May 2026, and; on what dates was each draft or revision commissioned; and by whom. Have any orders or equivalent directions been signed to cull birds in relation to H5N1 infection in Australia. ANSWER Minister Butler - The answer to the senator's question is as follows: Answer to questions 1, 3, 4, 7: Questions 1, 3, 4 and 7 relate to animal health surveillance, testing and response activities associated with the detection of Influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b in a wild bird. The Australian Government response to animal health aspects of this detection is being led by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Responses to these questions are being provided by DAFF through Question on Notice number 580. Question 2: The National Plan for the Surveillance of Avian Influenza for Human Health (the Plan) provides guidance on surveillance of and response to human infections with avian influenza viruses. As there has not been a human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b identified in Australia associated with the recent cases in migratory wild birds, this test has not been conducted. Question 5: At an Australian Health Protection Committee (AHPC) meeting on 10 July 2024, the committee identified the need for a human health surveillance plan for avian influenza to accompany the CDNA Series of National Guidelines (SoNG) for avian influenza in humans. On 16 July, the then Chief Medical Officer of Australia and Chair of AHPC, Professor Paul Kelly, formally requested the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) develop a human health surveillance plan for animal influenza, via the CDNA Chair. At their 17 July 2024 meeting, CDNA established a working group to develop the Plan. Question 6: The Plan was developed over 22 months through a process of iterative consultation and revision undertaken by the working group established by CDNA. The working group engaged stakeholders across jurisdictions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives, multiple national committees and government Departments. Numerous working versions of the Plan were created throughout its development. While Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) records capture versions submitted for committee or stakeholder feedback, determining the total number of drafts or revisions would require a substantial manual review that would involve a disproportionate diversion of agency resources. Accordingly, the Australian CDC is not able to provide a definitive count of drafts or revisions or an account of their details.