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New biosecurity legislation
The Australian Government has developed new legislation to replace the century-old Quarantine Act 1908. 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, and spreading in Australia 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 government, trading partners, industry participants and community.
The Biosecurity Bill 2012 and Inspector–General of Biosecurity Bill 2012 have been introduced into the Parliament and are before a Senate Committee inquiry. Senate Standing Orders prevent debate or a vote being taken on Bills while they are subject to committee scrutiny. The Senate Committee is scheduled to report on 24 June 2013.
While the Bills are progressing through a parliamentary process, work will continue on the draft Regulations that support the legislative framework outlined in the Bills. We will publish the draft Regulations as they are developed to provide time for clients and stakeholders to consider. Regulations will, therefore, not be finalised until the Bills are passed. They are published here to inform community discussion and to assist the Senate Committee in its considerations of the Bills.
Draft Regulations are currently available for:
Biosecurity Bill
Inspector–General of Biosecurity Bill
Comments and feedback
Comments and feedback are welcome at any time and can be provided by email, phone or written submission.
These draft Regulations are published for discussion purposes, information about final dates for comment and future consultation activities will be published on the DAFF website after the Senate Committee has made its recommendations.
Subscribe to the biosecurity legislation distribution list to make sure you get the latest information about the Regulations.
23 May 2013