On 2 September 2021, the provisions of the Biosecurity Amendment (Enhanced Risk Management) Bill (the bill) were referred to the committee for inquiry.
The Biosecurity Amendment (Enhanced Risk Management) Bill would amend the Biosecurity Act 2015 to enhance the ability to manage the risk of pests and diseases entering, emerging, establishing or spreading in Australian territory and causing harm to animal, plant and human health, the environment and the economy. It would strengthen the management of biosecurity risks posed by maritime and aviation arrivals, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the administration of the Biosecurity Act, and increase a range of civil and criminal penalties to deter non-compliance and provide proportionate penalties.
Submissions closed on 27 September 2021.