Biosecurity Bill 2014 in New South Wales

Tuesday 25 November 2014 @ 12.40 p.m. | Legal Research | Trade & Commerce

Following on from the introduction of the Biosecurity Draft Bill 2014 in Commonwealth, NSW has also introduced a new Biosecurity Bill 2014, aiming to be a single piece of modern legislation that will give New South Wales the essential tools and powers to manage pests, diseases, weeds and contaminants and minimise biosecurity threats to the New South Wales economy, environment and community.

Aims of the Bill

The objects of this Bill are as follows:

to provide a framework for the prevention, elimination and minimisation of biosecurity risks posed by biosecurity matter, dealing with biosecurity matter, carriers and potential carriers, and other activities that involve biosecurity matter, carriers or potential carriers;

  1. to promote biosecurity as a shared responsibility between government, industry and communities;
  2. to provide a framework for the timely and effective management of pests, diseases, contaminants and other biosecurity matter, threats to terrestrial and aquatic environments arising from pests, diseases, contaminants and other biosecurity matter, public health and safety risks arising from contaminants, non-indigenous animals, bees, weeds and other biosecurity matter known to contribute to human health problems, pests, diseases, contaminants and other biosecurity matter that may have an adverse effect on community activities and infrastructure;
  3. to provide a framework for risk-based decision-making in relation to biosecurity;
  4. to give effect to intergovernmental biosecurity agreements to which the State is a party; and
  5. to provide the means by which biosecurity requirements in other jurisdictions can be met, so as to maintain market access for industry.

 According to the Second Reading Speech:

"This bill supports the nationally agreed principle that biosecurity is indeed a shared responsibility between governments, industries and individuals. While government is not solely responsible for biosecurity, it does have some specific responsibilities such as providing the legislative framework that I am presenting today. The primary objective of the bill is to provide modern legislation to better manage biosecurity risks in New South Wales. It provides a framework for the prevention, elimination, minimisation and management of biosecurity risks. The bill adopts a risk-based approach for biosecurity. People and organisations with biosecurity duties, including government, will be expected to evaluate biosecurity risks posed and to develop appropriate solutions to address those risks."

Progress of Bill Through NSW Parliament

The Bill has passed through the Legislative Assembly as of 5 November 2014 and has been introduced on 6 November 2014, awaiting Second Reading Speech, in the Legislative Council.

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Sources:

Biosecurity Bill 2014 (NSW) as reproduced in TimeBase LawOne

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