De-Anne Kelly (Dawson, National Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to thank all the members who have taken part in the debate on the Gene Technology Amendment Bill 2007. This legislation strengthens the Australian government’s component of the gene technology regulatory scheme. This scheme protects the health and safety of people and the environment from any risks that may be posed by genetically modified organisms.

The amendments in this legislation are in response to the statutory review of the Gene Technology Act 200 and the Gene Technology Agreement 2001 conducted in 2005-06. The review was conducted by an independent panel and considered almost 300 submissions from members of the public, industry and other stakeholders. A period of national consultation followed, during which public forums were held at numerous locations around Australia. This allowed the review to hear firsthand a range of views from interested parties, including state governments, industry, researchers, farm groups, non-government organisations and consumers.

The review concluded that the Australian system is one of the most rigorous, transparent and accessible in the world and that no major changes were required. However, the review suggested a number of minor changes aimed at improving the operation of the act at the margin. These amendments will refine the legislation and ensure that regulatory burden is commensurate to risk, introduce provisions to deal with unexpected situations and ensure the smooth operation of the scheme. The strong scientific assessment framework of the act will be maintained.

These amendments mean that the regulator’s resources may be more efficiently utilised in the evaluation of applications for the intentional release of genetically modified organisms and that the regulatory regime will be more able to respond swiftly to emergency scenarios where the use of a genetically modified organism may be particularly advantageous. These refinements represent the collective input from all states and territories and will ensure that Australia has a world-class regulatory system that protects the health and safety of people and the environment, as well as promoting research in this growing industry.

This bill serves to strengthen this link in the armour of protection afforded to the health of the Australian people and the environment by the Australian government. The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator along with other Australian government regulatory schemes provide a shield that protects the health of the Australian people and the environment. The Australian government must be commended for their initiatives in this important area.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Ordered that the bill be reported to the House without amendment.

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