Gene Technology

Inaugural Gene Technology Ministerial Council communique

The Gene Technology Ministerial Council held its inaugural metting, chaired by the Commonwealth Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson.

Printable version of communique (PDF 11 KB)

24 May 2002

The Gene Technology Ministerial Council held its inaugural meeting today, chaired by the Commonwealth Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson.

The Council comprises the Commonwealth and State and Territory Ministers from a range of portfolios including health, agriculture and the environment.

The Gene Technology Ministerial Council oversees the national regulatory framework for gene technology in Australia. This is a nationally cooperative scheme involving all States and Territories. The scheme began on 21 June 2001 with the commencement of the Gene Technology Act 2000 and has been characterised by a continuously high level of collaboration throughout its development and implementation.

A key part of the scheme is the provision for policy principles that may be issued by the Council to establish parameters for the national regulatory system. They also govern the work of the Gene Technology Regulator. Ministers agreed today to a process for the development of these instruments, which incorporates an inclusive, consultative process in keeping with the aim of having a national regulatory framework that is open and accountable to all Australians.

Under the Gene Technology Act 2000, the Ministerial Council has the power to issue a policy principle which would recognise areas designated under State law for the purpose of preserving the identity of genetically modified (GM) or non-GM crops for market purposes. The Gene Technology Regulator must then recognise such areas in issuing licences for dealings with genetically modified organisms.

Ministers agreed to start work on such a policy principle in order to provide constitutional certainty for GM/GM-free designated areas declared under State and Territory legislation.

Ministers agreed that the policy principle must not detract from the clearly identified role of the Gene Technology Regulator in assessing and managing risks to protect the health and safety of people or the environment.

Ministers also agreed to work closely with the Primary Industry Ministerial Council to formulate the policy principle as members of both Councils have interlinking interests in the regulation of genetically modified organisms.

Ministers agreed to the Operating Procedures that will govern the work of the Gene Technology Standing Committee. The Gene Technology Standing Committee comprises officials from all jurisdictions.

Senator Patterson said that this meeting further demonstrated the high level of commitment that exists across Australian governments on this issue.

"The Council's primary aim is to ensure that all Australians benefit from a sound, world class regulatory system which protects the health and safety of Australians and the Australian environment, while supporting our aspirations as a world leader in gene technology research and application," she said.

Media contact: Kay McNiece, Media Liaison, Gene Technology Ministerial Council, 0412 132 585