Page 3773 - Week 12 - Thursday, 2 November 2023
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I also want to thank the health and community wellbeing committee, which sought a briefing on the bill to determine whether to undertake an inquiry. That was a useful conversation and has informed greater detail in my closing remarks than might otherwise have been the case.
Finally, I want to thank the dedicated staff in the Community Services Directorate who have driven this important piece of work and who continue to work to deliver positive change in this critically important policy area. I thank colleagues for your support of the bill and look forward to continuing work to ensure that the bill achieves its objectives and improves the lives of vulnerable children, young people and their families and carers. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
Biosecurity Bill 2023
Debate resumed from 10 May 2023, on motion by Ms Vassarotti:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
MS LAWDER (Brindabella) (11.33): I rise to speak on the Biosecurity Bill 2023. We are pleased to indicate that we will be supporting this bill today. The purpose of this bill is to propose a single legislative framework supporting the management of biosecurity risks in the ACT. This objective is consistent with the requirements set out in the ACT government’s Biosecurity Strategy 2016-2026. It also aims to keep the ACT’s approach to biosecurity in line with national obligations and commitments.
The bill repeals and replaces several pieces of legislation and instruments related to biosecurity. The repealed legislation includes the Animal Diseases Act 2005, the Pest Plants and Animals Act 2005 and the Plant Diseases Act 2002. By repealing these acts, along with numerous related regulations and instruments, the bill aims to address inconsistencies and gaps in biosecurity legislation.
A robust and effective biosecurity framework is essential in order to protect human health, the economy and the environment, in Canberra and throughout the country. Biosecurity threats can range from pest animals and weeds to diseases which affect animals or plants, as well as zoonotic diseases, which spread to humans. Through tourism, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, Australia’s environmental assets are worth more than $5 trillion. Strengthening our biosecurity system to protect these sectors is a matter of national security, and that is why we will be supporting the bill today.
Multiple jurisdictions across Australia have updated or are updating their biosecurity legislation, following the passage of the Commonwealth Biosecurity Act 2015 under
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