Draft Biosecurity Bill 2014 to Improve Australia's Biosecurity System

Wednesday 16 July 2014 @ 10.59 a.m. | Legal Research | Trade & Commerce

Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, on 7 July 2014, announced the government’s plans to progress the Biosecurity Bill 2014 to replace the Quarantine Act 1908. 

 The Biosecurity Bill 2014 is being developed to underpin a more modern and responsive biosecurity system.

Background to the Bill

The Bill will be administered by both the Agriculture and Health portfolios.  The Biosecurity Bill 2014 will simplify and streamline Australia’s biosecurity laws whilst still ensuring the high standard of protection of Australia’s human, environmental and animal health that the community expects.

Expected Amendments

Some of the Bill’s improvements include:

  • a reduction of more than $6.9 million a year in business compliance costs because of clearer, easier to use legislation and the improved processes it will enable;
  • new powers to allow the Commonwealth to respond to biosecurity risks within Australia and help state and territory governments manage a nationally significant pest or disease outbreak – including in our marine environment; and
  • allowing the general compliance history of a business or individual to be considered when deciding whether to let them import a good, or undertake biosecurity activities— whereas the current Quarantine Act only allows for assessment of the risks associated with the goods themselves.

Minister Joyce acknowledged that this Bill was first introduced in 2012, referred to committee for inquiry, but never reported on, due to the proroguing of Parliament in 2013:

“A number of concerns were raised by stakeholders as a part of the inquiry process, many of which this government has already addressed, however I am committed to improving this important legislation further with ongoing targeted consultation before the Bill is introduced...For the Australian farmer, a strong biosecurity system means crops will be safer from exotic pests and livestock better protected from diseases such as foot-and-mouth—which a recent ABARES report found could cost our economy more than $50 billion over a decade...For the Australian economy, it means an increased capacity for sustained domestic production and international exports from a competitive and profitable agricultural sector...For the Australian community more broadly, it means everyone can continue to have confidence in the biosecurity systems which protect our nation.”

Import Risk Analysis

Concurrently, the Department of Agriculture is conducting an Import Risk Analysis (IRA) which will gather information and feedback about the current IRA process and inform the development of the Biosecurity Bill 2014.

A public discussion paper is available on the Department’s website and includes information on the current IRA process. Readers are asked to consider the current process and options for improvement particularly around the following areas:

  • transparency and consultation during the IRA process;
  • the use of external scientific and economic expertise; and
  • consideration of regional differences in animal or plant health status during the IRA process.

This is to fit in line with the Department's key themes of change including:

  • Implementing a risk–based approach to biosecurity management;
  • Managing biosecurity risk across the continuum – offshore, at the border and onshore;
  • Strengthening partnerships with clients and stakeholders;
  • Using robust science, being intelligence–led and evidence–based; and
  • Developing and implementing modern legislation, technology, funding and business systems.

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