Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis Consultation Process
Summary of comments received through the public consultation process on the draft proposal to establish the Centre
The BRS used the stakeholder register compiled by Biosecurity Australia to inform people likely to be most interested in the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis of the draft proposal and invite comments. Through the stakeholder register, 2295 parties were invited to visit the BRS web site where the draft proposal was displayed.
In response to the invitation to view the draft proposal, the BRS received 27 comments over the four week comment period that closed on 12 April.
Affiliation of persons providing comments | Number of comments |
|---|---|
| Research institutions (CSIRO, universities etc) | 9 |
| Industry (Associations and individual, producers) | 10 |
| Private (Consultants, others and unknown) | 8 |
With few exceptions, the comments provided were supportive of the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis and the role of the Centre as outlined in the proposed objectives and most saw the application of risk assessments as something that should be beyond the scope of the Centre’s interests.
Consistent themes across the Submissions included:
- That the Centre should remain independent of external influence;
- The proposed Objectives of the Centre were a source of specific comment for most respondents, with the comments typically supporting the existing objectives and seeking an extension of their scope. Suggestions for ‘broadening’ the objectives of the Centre included;
- Developing and promoting risk analysis methods in areas of interest to industry, State and Local Government, in addition to areas of interest to the Australian Government;
- Promoting consistency in risk analysis methodologies across all sectors;
- To include the spectrum of risk identification, analysis (including consequence analysis) and management issues, as well as risk communication and how risks are perceived and responded to by individuals and the community;
- To provide training for practitioners in risk analysis and management and assist in the transfer of knowledge between the many disciplines with an interest in risk analysis and management;
- To develop new tools for risk analysis, and test the effectiveness of new and existing tools;
- To include overarching ‘principles’ that would underpin all of the Centre’s work.
- To encourage the Centre to investigate approaches to assessing risks in addition to the traditional ‘science based’ approach, eg a ‘values based’ approach.
With respect to the structure and the form of the Centre, there was general support for a simple model with a mix of permanent staff and specialists engaged as needed for particular projects.
Many of the Submissions proposed specific projects or areas of study to be taken up by the Centre. To deal with these proposals for particular projects, copies of all submissions will be provided to the Centre, to allow it to consider the proposals when defining its work program.
Bureau of Rural Sciences
6 May 2005