The Biosecurity Bill 2024 has passed South Australia’s Upper House, marking another milestone towards new legislation to enhance the state’s important biosecurity system.
The Biosecurity Bill 2024 provides a contemporary legislative framework for protecting our environment and SA’s $18.5 billion agriculture industry from pests, diseases, and other biosecurity risks.
The legislation will ensure South Australia remains a strong link in the national biosecurity system by more closely aligning the framework with those of other jurisdictions.
The Bill improves consistency across sectors by consolidating several existing Acts, some of which had not been amended in more than 70 years, including the:
- Plant Health Act 2009
- Livestock Act 1997
- Dog Fence Act 1949
- Impounding Act 1920.
The Bill features the concepts of shared responsibility and a general biosecurity duty across industry, government, and the community. Under the legislation, everyone will have duty to take reasonable measures that prevent, eliminate, minimise, control, or manage biosecurity risks.
The Bill, introduced in the Upper House on 29 August 2024, will be considered in the Lower House in the new year.