Gene Technology Act Review

Consultation has concluded

Consultation Process Now Closed

This online engagement was hosted on YourSAy from 8 March to 19 April 2021. Below is a record of the engagement.

Let us know your thoughts on a proposed amendment to the legislative process of the South Australian Gene Technology Act.

What’s being decided?

We are seeking your feedback on a proposed amendment to the South Australian Gene Technology Act 2001 (SA GT Act) to include a provision that allows for ‘adoption by regulation’ of the Commonwealth Gene Technology Act 2000.

The proposed amendments are included within the draft Gene Technology (Adoption of Commonwealth Amendments) Amendment Bill 2021 (draft SA GT Bill).

‘Adoption by regulation’ is a process that provides for the changing of an Act using a regulation making power as opposed to drafting a new legislative Bill.

The ‘adoption by regulation’ approach still enables the South Australian Government to choose not to adopt a proposed amendment or to modify the change for SA. This ensures continued oversight for the best outcomes for the state.

The proposed change will create a simpler and quicker process for any future legislative changes in relation to the Act. There will be no changes to the regulatory protections for human health and safety and the environment.

We are seeking views from the public, government agencies, industries operating under the gene technology legislation and the Gene Technology Regulator.

The Consultation Paper and the Frequently Asked Questions provide further detail about the proposed changes to help you inform your feedback.

Get involved

Read the draft SA GT Bill, Consultation Paper and the Frequently Asked Questions.

Have your say by:

How can your input influence the decision?

We will collate your feedback in a summary document which will be used to develop the draft SA GT Bill.

What are the next steps?

The draft SA GT Bill will be presented to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing for consideration. It will then be presented in Parliament for debate and approval.

Contact details

For general inquiries email us at FoodPolicyPrograms@sa.gov.au.

Closing date: 5pm, Monday 19 April 2021

Background

Now Closed

This online engagement was hosted on YourSAy from 8 March to 19 April 2021. Below is a record of the engagement.

The South Australian Gene Technology Act 2001 (SA GT Act) puts in place regulatory measures to protect the health and safety of people and protect the environment by identifying and managing risks posed by gene technology.

The SA GT Act currently mirrors the Commonwealth Gene Technology Act 2000 (Com GT Act) to ensure a model of national consistency. However, currently every time there is a change to the Commonwealth Act, the SA GT Act must undertake a full Parliamentary process to adopt the change.

We are seeking your feedback on a proposed amendment to the SA GT Act to allow South Australia to adopt Commonwealth legislation in the future by a regulation making process, creating a simpler and quicker process for any proposed changes.

The proposed changes are featured in the draft Gene Technology (Adoption of Commonwealth Amendments) Amendment Bill 2021.

The South Australian Government would still be able to review any proposed changes and decide if the changes are appropriate for the South Australian community before adopting it. There will be no changes to the regulatory protections for human health and safety and the environment.


Consultation Process Now Closed

This online engagement was hosted on YourSAy from 8 March to 19 April 2021. Below is a record of the engagement.

Let us know your thoughts on a proposed amendment to the legislative process of the South Australian Gene Technology Act.

What’s being decided?

We are seeking your feedback on a proposed amendment to the South Australian Gene Technology Act 2001 (SA GT Act) to include a provision that allows for ‘adoption by regulation’ of the Commonwealth Gene Technology Act 2000.

The proposed amendments are included within the draft Gene Technology (Adoption of Commonwealth Amendments) Amendment Bill 2021 (draft SA GT Bill).

‘Adoption by regulation’ is a process that provides for the changing of an Act using a regulation making power as opposed to drafting a new legislative Bill.

The ‘adoption by regulation’ approach still enables the South Australian Government to choose not to adopt a proposed amendment or to modify the change for SA. This ensures continued oversight for the best outcomes for the state.

The proposed change will create a simpler and quicker process for any future legislative changes in relation to the Act. There will be no changes to the regulatory protections for human health and safety and the environment.

We are seeking views from the public, government agencies, industries operating under the gene technology legislation and the Gene Technology Regulator.

The Consultation Paper and the Frequently Asked Questions provide further detail about the proposed changes to help you inform your feedback.

Get involved

Read the draft SA GT Bill, Consultation Paper and the Frequently Asked Questions.

Have your say by:

How can your input influence the decision?

We will collate your feedback in a summary document which will be used to develop the draft SA GT Bill.

What are the next steps?

The draft SA GT Bill will be presented to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing for consideration. It will then be presented in Parliament for debate and approval.

Contact details

For general inquiries email us at FoodPolicyPrograms@sa.gov.au.

Closing date: 5pm, Monday 19 April 2021

Background

Now Closed

This online engagement was hosted on YourSAy from 8 March to 19 April 2021. Below is a record of the engagement.

The South Australian Gene Technology Act 2001 (SA GT Act) puts in place regulatory measures to protect the health and safety of people and protect the environment by identifying and managing risks posed by gene technology.

The SA GT Act currently mirrors the Commonwealth Gene Technology Act 2000 (Com GT Act) to ensure a model of national consistency. However, currently every time there is a change to the Commonwealth Act, the SA GT Act must undertake a full Parliamentary process to adopt the change.

We are seeking your feedback on a proposed amendment to the SA GT Act to allow South Australia to adopt Commonwealth legislation in the future by a regulation making process, creating a simpler and quicker process for any proposed changes.

The proposed changes are featured in the draft Gene Technology (Adoption of Commonwealth Amendments) Amendment Bill 2021.

The South Australian Government would still be able to review any proposed changes and decide if the changes are appropriate for the South Australian community before adopting it. There will be no changes to the regulatory protections for human health and safety and the environment.