A Labor MP has questioned why taxpayers are paying $240,000 for the federal agriculture department to investigate conduct blamed for the closure of a biotech company.
Bunbury-based Serana, which exported cattle serum, has been embroiled in a battle with the department over a controversial biosecurity investigation.
The department raided Serana's offices in 2013 on suspicions that the biotech company was illegally importing bovine serum from countries with foot-and-mouth disease.
An internal investigation into the matter has already cost $239,285, with no indication of when it will be completed.
Perth Labor MP Alannah MacTiernan criticised the figure because the last time costs were reported six months ago, it was $237,435.
"Obviously if less than $2000 has been spent in six months, the idea that there is a real investigation afoot cannot be seriously entertained," she told parliament on Tuesday.
Ms MacTiernan accused the department of drawing out the inquiry and blocking the business from restarting.
"I am concerned that this investigation ... is being kept live so the department will not have to face the fact that a company has been destroyed and no evidence found to support a prosecution."
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