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Communique - Gene Technology Act given green light

An independent review of Australia’s Gene Technology Act 2000 and the Gene Technology Agreement was presented to a meeting of Australian and State and Territory Ministers responsible for gene technology, held in Melbourne.

Gene Technology Act given green light (PDF 30 KB)

Independent Review of the Act

An independent review of Australia’s Gene Technology Act 2000 and the Gene Technology Agreement was presented to a meeting of Australian and State and Territory Ministers responsible for gene technology, held in Melbourne today. The meeting was chaired by the Hon Neil Roberts MP, Queensland Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier, Treasurer, and Minister for State Development, Trade and Innovation.

Chair of the Independent Review Panel, Ms Susan Timbs, presented Ministers with the review findings which considered that the object of the Act – the protection of the health and safety of people and the environment – was being achieved. It found the Act to be rigorous with a high level of transparency in relation to the regulatory system. It also found that the regulatory framework set out in the Act is appropriate and is being applied effectively. However, the operational experience of the first four years had highlighted the need for some amendments to the regulatory system.

Moratoria

The Review of the Gene Technology Act 2000 recommends that the Commonwealth and States and Territories work together to develop a national framework for co-existence of both non-GM and GM crops to address market considerations. The meeting expressed support for the Intergovernmental Agreement and noted that implementation of co-existence will be determined by each State or Territory. The Ministerial Council agreed to refer to the Primary Industries Ministerial Council for consideration and advice, by the end of 2007, on a consistent and transparent framework for co-existence of both non-GM and GM crops which can be assessed for adoption by the States and Territories, which wish to do so, as each jurisdictions’ moratorium ends or is reviewed.

New Chair of Community Consultative Committee

The meeting also noted the concerns raised during the Review panel’s consultations about the advisory committees. The Review has suggested changes to the advisory mechanisms and expertise available to the Gene Technology Regulator and the Gene Technology Ministerial Council regarding ethical issues and community consultation.

Consequently the Ministerial Council today agreed to the appointment of Professor Don Chalmers, current Chair of the Gene Technology Ethics Committee, to also assume the Chair of the Gene Technology Community Consultative Committee while it considers these proposals.

National commitment to the Gene Technology Act

The Ministers present reaffirmed their commitment to a nationally consistent regulatory system to protect people and the environment from the risks that may be posed by the development and use of gene technology. Ministers undertook to develop a joint response to the Review Panel’s recommendations regarding the operation of the Commonwealth Gene Technology Act 2000 on behalf of their governments.

Gene Technology Regulations 2001

Australia’s Gene Technology Regulator, Dr Sue Meek, reported to Ministers on the Review of the Gene Technology Regulations, initiated by her last year. The Review relates to technical matters and is intended to improve clarity for and compliance by users. Feedback from the comprehensive consultation process is still being analysed and is expected to result in some proposed amendments to the Regulations.

New Chair for the GTMC

The NSW Minister for Natural Resources, Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Mineral Resources, the Hon Ian Macdonald MLC, was appointed the new Chair of the Gene Technology Ministerial Council for the coming year.


Media contact: Kay McNiece, Media Liaison, GTMC, 0412 132 585




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