Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The opposition will not be supporting these amendments either, largely for the reasons that the minister has just outlined. We are satisfied that the provisions contained in the government's bill provide for the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator to be informed of relevant FSANZ decisions. We understand that should the OGTR request FSANZ inform it of all decisions there would be no reason why this does not occur. In its submission to the Senate inquiry into the bill, the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator said:

The OGTR does not operate in isolation from other product regulators and works closely with those agencies to ensure regulatory coverage but prevent duplication of oversight in relation to GMOs and GM products. Under the GT Act, I am required to seek advice from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) on risk assessments for environmental release of GMOs (sections 50 and 52).

The requirement for the Gene Technology Regulator to seek advice from FSANZ is not affected by the FSANZ Bill.

The gene technology regulator reaffirmed:

Interaction between OGTR and FSANZ is not limited to legislative requirements …

The two organisations exchange advice and information regularly, and a memorandum of understanding between the two agencies addresses the needs of the agencies to share information.

Labor was initially concerned by the provisions in the bill to remove the definitions related to GM from the act, which is why Labor specifically sought input on this through the Senate committee inquiry process. These provisions in the bill will not have any substantive change to the nature of regulation of GM foods or gene technology regulation.

The CHAIRMAN: The question is that Australian Greens amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 7774 be agreed to.

The CHAIRMAN: The question now is that item 11 of schedule 1 stand as printed.

Question agreed to.