Geoffrey Rush during World Premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" at Disneyland. Picture: E. Charbonneau/WireImage for Disney Pictures Source: News Corp Australia

The Department of Agriculture yesterday said producers would still need to meet Commonwealth requirements in order to use the capuchin monkeys in the role of “Jack” for the big budget movie.

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The department’s position is at odds with Queensland Premier Campbell Newman who on Thursday said he would ensure the right approvals were granted so that the movie went ahead in “the best possible fashion”.

Monkey Jack, from Pirates of the Carribean movie has caused a stir before even making it to Australia. Picture: Supplied. Source: Supplied

This included ensuring white-headed capuchin monkeys were added to the appropriate animal lists, Mr Newman said.

“This will involve some administrative changes but it is being treated as a priority and the monkeys will be able to enter Queensland as expected in March next year (shortly after filming begins),” he said.

Under state and federal law, monkeys are considered a Class One declared pest and importers must meet strict standards and ongoing quarantine surveillance to bring them in.

A department spokesman said Queensland was unable to go it alone with the monkeys and bypass Commonwealth laws.

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman is keen to ensure the monkey makes it into Australia. Pictures: Jack Tran/The Courier Mail Source: News Corp Australia

“Animals cannot be imported into Australia without meeting all relevant state and Commonwealth Government requirements,” said the spokesman.

“The Australian Government Department of Agriculture is responsible for managing the biosecurity risks associated with imports of live animals.

“The department is still yet to receive an application for an import permit in this instance.”

Mr Newman remained confident the movie would go ahead as planned, with filming due to start on the Gold Coast in February.

“This film will be a massive boost to Queensland bringing in around $100 million to the state’s economy and creating thousands of jobs,” said the Premier.

The set for the Pirates of the Caribbean 5 is under construction in the Gold Coast hinterland. Picture: Luke Marsden. Source: News Corp Australia

“Hundreds of Queenslanders have already been employed to start work on the film and we know there will be many more both on the Gold Coast and in other filming locations.”

He said the producers had informed the government there were “no quarantine issues” and it was going through the usual processes.

“The production company has told us that it is very happy with the cooperative and collaborative approach of Biosecurity Queensland and the Department of Environment,” Mr Newman said.

Monkey Jack is the offsider of Captain Hector Barbossa, played by Australian Geoffrey Rush in the film.