G/SPS/N/AUS/298/Add.4  
 
2 December 2014  
(14-7017)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION 
Addendum 
The following communication, received on 27 November 2014, is being circulated at the request of 
the Delegation of Australia. 
 
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 Biosecurity legislation introduced to Australian Parliament 
Note: This information is provided for the benefit of stakeholders who are interested in the reform 
to Australia's biosecurity system. You should not rely on this information as reflecting the current or future state of Australia's biosecurity laws. 
On 27 November 2014 the Australian Government introduced the Biosecurity Bill 2014 into 
Parliament to replace the Quarantine Act 1908. The Bill is supported by four other Bills, listed 
below, which are designed to help ensure the smooth transition from the Quarantine Act 1908 to the Biosecurity Bill 2014 if it is passed into law: 
-  Quarantine Charges (Imposition-General) Amendment Bill 2014 
-  Quarantine Charges (Imposition-Customs) Amendment Bill 2014 -  Quarantine Charges (Imposition-Excise) Amendment Bill 2014 -  Biosecurity (Consequential Amendments  and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2014. 
The biosecurity legislation would provide a modern regulatory framework for the Australian 
Government to manage the risk of pests and diseases entering Australian territory and causing harm to animal, plant and human health, the environment and the economy. 
Key features of the Biosecurity Bill 2014 include: 
1.  A strong legislative framework that clearly sets out the powers that can be exercised by 
officials as well as the requirements of those being regulated.  
2.   New powers to manage risks onshore and in Australia's marine environment. 
3.  The ability to impose a minimum regulatory impact whilst still achieving the best biosecurity 
outcomes - including flexible tools to target non-co mpliant activities, whilst reducing the burden on 
those who are compliant.  
Outcomes from the examination of Australia's import risk analysis (IRA) process (see 
G/SPS/N/AUS/341) would be considered in the future development of the Bill's regulations and administrative policies.  
The legislation has been designed to be consistent with Australia's rights and obligations under the 
WTO and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Health Regulations. It would also enable Australia to manage ballast water consistent with the International Convention for the 
Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments.  
No adverse changes for trading partners are expected with the introduction of the legislation.  Further information on the Biosecurity legislation will be released at 
http://www.agriculture.gov.au /biosecuritylegislation  as the Australian Parliamentary process 
advances. G/SPS/N/AUS/298/Add.4 
 
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  This addendum concerns a: 
[ ] Modification of final date for comments 
[ ] Notification of adoption, publication or entry into force of regulation 
[ ] Modification of content and/or scope of  previously notified draft regulation 
[ ] Withdrawal of proposed regulation 
[ ] Change in proposed date of adoption, publication or date of entry into force 
[X] Other: Biosecurity Bill 2014 introduced into Australian Parliament 
Comment period: (If the addendum extends the scope of the previously notified 
measure in terms of products and/or potent ially affected Members, a new deadline for 
receipt of comments should be provided, norm ally of at least 60 calendar days. Under 
other circumstances, such as extension of or iginally announced final date for comments, 
the comment period provided in the addendum may vary.)  
[ ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the addendum to the notification and/or 
(dd/mm/yy) : Not Applicable. 
Agency or authority designated to handle co mments: [X] National Notification Authority, 
[ ] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax nu mber and e-mail address (if available) of 
other body: 
The Australian SPS Notification Point 
GPO Box 858  Canberra ACT 2601 Australia 
Fax: +(61 2) 6272 3678 
E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au   
Text(s) available from: [X] National Notificati on Authority, [ ] National Enquiry Point. 
Address, fax number and e-mail addre ss (if available) of other body: 
The Australian SPS Notification Point 
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601 
Australia Fax: +(61 2) 6272 3678 E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au   
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