Gene Technology (Queensland) Bill 2016

Introduced: 16/8/2016By: Hon L Enoch MPStatus: PASSED

Environment Health Government & Elections

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Plain English Summary

Overview

This bill replaces Queensland's gene technology law with a new Act that automatically applies the Commonwealth's gene technology laws as Queensland laws. It lets the Queensland Government 'opt out' of specific Commonwealth changes by regulation if needed, and carries over existing GMO licences and approvals.

Who it affects

Queensland state government agencies, universities and sole traders who work with genetically modified organisms are most affected, along with existing GMO licence holders whose approvals continue under the new scheme.

Key changes

Repeals the Gene Technology Act 2001 and applies the Commonwealth Gene Technology Act 2000 as a law of Queensland
Future Commonwealth changes flow through automatically unless Queensland makes a regulation to opt out
The Minister must table any Commonwealth amendment in Parliament within 10 sitting days so MPs can scrutinise it
Existing GMO licences, certifications, accreditations and inspector appointments continue under the new scheme
The Commonwealth Gene Technology Regulator keeps full regulatory oversight of GMO activities in Queensland

How this affects you

Environment

•The same national rules on genetically modified organisms keep applying in Queensland to protect health and the environmentClause 3Purpose of the Act is to protect the health and safety of people and the environment by identifying and managing risks from gene technology.
•The Commonwealth Gene Technology Regulator keeps full oversight of GMO research, licensing and inspections in QueenslandClause 9The Commonwealth regulator and other authorities and officers have the same functions and powers under the applied provisions as under Commonwealth law.
•Existing GMO licences and their conditions continue without disruption under the new schemeClause 26An existing GMO licence continues as a GMO licence under the applied provisions and remains subject to its original conditions.

Health

•Health and safety risks from gene technology remain regulated under a single national schemeClause 3Purpose is to protect the health and safety of people and manage risks through regulating dealings with genetically modified organisms.
•Queensland researchers and state agencies working with GMOs are held to the same safety standards as private companies and federal bodiesClause 6Commonwealth gene technology laws apply as laws of Queensland, closing the gap for state government agencies, higher education institutions and sole traders.

Government & Elections

•Queensland no longer has to pass new laws every time the Commonwealth changes its gene technology rulesClause 6Commonwealth gene technology laws apply automatically as laws of Queensland under a 'lock-step' approach.
•Queensland can refuse any specific Commonwealth change by making a regulation to opt outClause 7A regulation may provide that a Commonwealth amendment has not taken effect in Queensland.
•The Minister must table any Commonwealth amendment in Parliament within 10 sitting days so MPs can scrutinise itClause 21The Minister must table a copy of an amendment to the Commonwealth Gene Technology Act or Licence Charges Act within 10 sitting days of commencement.

Bill Journey

Introduced16 Aug 2016

First Reading

Committee

Committee Report27 Sept 2016

Committee report tabled

Second Reading

In Detail

Third Reading

Royal Assent20 Oct 2016

Referenced Entities

Sectors Affected

Agriculture Tertiary Education Public Administration Public Health

Classified using AGIFT/ANZSIC Australian government standards

Gene Technology (Queensland) Bill 2016

Plain English Summary

Overview

Who it affects

Key changes

Bill Journey

Referenced Entities

Legislation

Organisations

Programs & Schemes

Roles & Offices

Sectors Affected

Source Documents