On 28 November 2012, the Biosecurity Bill 2012 was introduced into the Senate. The Biosecurity Bill will replace the century-old Quarantine Act 1908 to provide the primary legislative means for the Australian Government to manage the risk of pests and diseases entering Australian territory and causing harm to animal, plant and human health, the environment and the economy. The Biosecurity Bill 2012 is a framework that creates a responsive and flexible operating environment for the Australian Government to make biosecurity risk management decisions, based on science and evidence. The Bill includes mechanisms to more clearly identify risks offshore, at the border and onshore. The five broad principles underpinning the Biosecurity Bill are managing biosecurity risk, improving productivity, strengthening partnerships, sound administration and increasing transparency. The three main issues canvassed in the Bill that will change the current situation are:
- approved arrangements between government and industry participants
- introduction of a new policy for the approval of first points of entry
- use of biosecurity zones in prevention and control.
A Regulation Impact Statement discussing these issues was prepared by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.
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