Minister for Agriculture, Tony Burke, said the funding - promised during the election campaign - would support projects across Australia, including in livestock grazing areas, wetlands and rainforests.

"Weeds continue to pose a serious threat to our farming industries and natural environment, costing the national economy an estimated $4 billion each year," Mr Burke said.

"In 2006-07 alone, Australian farmers spent more than $1.5 billion on weed control – more than the combined cost of pest control and land and soil management.

"This Rudd Government funding will support the work of a range of research providers, and potential partners in the new Weeds Research Centre."

One project will see the Victorian Department of Primary Industries complete testing on a new biological control agent to attack Chilean needle grass and serrated tussock.

In another project, the CSIRO will research whether livestock grazing is a practical tool to help control exotic grasses in remnant vegetation.

The Government announced in May 2008 that it would establish the new national Weeds Research Centre, which was welcomed by the former Cooperative Research Centre for Australian weed management.