New biosecurity legislation

The Australian Government has developed new legislation to replace the century-old Quarantine Act 1908 to create a responsive and flexible operating environment. The new legislation is a cornerstone of our reforms and the implementation of a risk based approach to biosecurity management. The new legislation is designed to enable us to better manage the risks of animal and plant pests and diseases entering, establishing, spreading in Australia and potentially causing harm to people, the environment and the economy.

The legislation is designed to deliver broader, yet simpler provisions that provide flexible powers to efficiently and responsively manage biosecurity risks. It will focus on responsive regulation enabling a system that intervenes where there is a biosecurity risk that needs to be managed and promotes effective cooperation between governments, trading partners, industry participants and the community.

The Biosecurity Bill 2012 and the Inspector-General of Biosecurity Bill were introduced into Parliament on 28 November 2012.

The Bills can be found at the Parliament House website or through these links Biosecurity Bill 2012, Inspector-General of Biosecurity Bill.

For information about what is next, please email, New Biosecurity Legislation.