Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

The government does not support Greens amendment (45), which, as Senator Siewert has outlined, seeks to establish a biosecurity advisory council. The proposed council does not need legislative powers to support its role. It could be established administratively. The department regularly utilises the expertise of consultative committees and groups to provide advice and coordinated approaches to management of biosecurity, including with state and territory governments, scientists, primary producers, farming associations and environmental NGOs, and does not require legislative power to engage or establish these groups.