Page 1955 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 14 May 2013
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consistent regulation scheme for gene technology, which is comprised of legislation of the commonwealth and each state and territory. A Gene Technology Ministerial Council consisting of representatives of each jurisdiction has been established to provide broad oversight of the scheme.
The overarching role of the regulator in the legislation is to protect the health and safety of people and the environment by identifying risks posed by or as a result of gene technology and by managing those risks through regulating certain dealings with genetically modified organisms.
Under section 136 and 136A of the relevant ACT legislation, the Gene Technology Act 2003, the regulator must prepare and provide reports to the Minister for Health on the operations of the regulator as soon as practicable after the end of the relevant reporting period. The ACT Minister for Health is required to present a copy of this report to the Legislative Assembly within six sitting days of receiving it.
The report I am tabling today shows the key activities of the regulator for the quarter 1 October to 31 December. In that period two organisations were issued with accreditation under the national gene technology system, one licence was issued for dealings involving the intentional release of genetically modified organisms into the environment, two licences were issued for dealings not involving the intentional release of GMOs into the environment, 60 physical containment facilities were certified, 25 instruments were surrendered, 160 certifications and 22 licences were varied, and one investigation was completed. The report provides a detailed explanation of each of these activities and the regulations pertaining to them.
During the quarter approximately 13 per cent of current field trial sites and 19 per cent of post-harvest field trial sites were subjected to routine monitoring. There were five findings of non-compliance, all of which were considered minor in nature and resolvable by reminders, education and/or cooperative compliance. I encourage members seeking further information to consult the report or the website of the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.
Financial Management Act—instrument
Paper and statement by minister
MR BARR (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Sport and Recreation, Minister for Tourism and Events and Minister for Community Services): For the information of members I present the following paper:
Financial Management Act, pursuant to section 16B—Instrument authorising the rollover of undisbursed appropriation of the Justice and Community Safety Directorate, including a statement of reasons, dated 8 May 2013.
I seek leave to make a statement in relation to the paper.
Leave granted.
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