Special report: review of Australian quarantine and Biosecurity ('Beale review')

On 18 December 2008 the Australian Government released the independent review of Australia’s quarantine and biosecurity arrangements by a panel chaired by Mr Roger Beale AO.

The review concluded that Australia’s biosecurity system is good—often the envy of other countries—but far from perfect. It recommended significant changes to improve the system’s ability to deal with changing and increasing biosecurity risks.

The changes include:

• improved partnerships with the states and territories and with industry
• enhanced governance structures, including an independent commission to assess the biosecurity risks of imports, a national authority to undertake biosecurity operations and an Inspector General of Biosecurity to audit the authority’s work
• a risk–return approach to biosecurity operational activities
• new biosecurity legislation to replace the Quarantine Act 1908
• more funding for biosecurity activities and upgraded information technology systems.

The government has agreed in principle with the proposed reforms and work has begun within the department to progress implementation.

A national agreement on biosecurity is being negotiated with the states and territories that will help shape an improved national system.

New biosecurity legislation is being drafted that will draw on broader constitutional powers and provide for more effective management of biosecurity risks.

The department is putting interim administrative arrangements in place:

• a Biosecurity Advisory Council to replace the Quarantine and Export Advisory Council
• an Interim Inspector General of Biosecurity
• the inclusion of economic expertise to enhance the Eminent Scientists Group
• a new Biosecurity Services Group within the department that brings together biosecurity functions, taking effect from 1 July 2009.

Work is under way on redesigning information technology systems and developing the methodology for a risk–return approach to biosecurity activities.

The status of quarantine stations and their future management arrangements are being reviewed.

The Beale report and links to the government response are at www.quarantinebiosecurityreview.gov.au.

Previous page | Contents | Next page