Review of Gene Technology Act

The Gene Technology Ministerial Council recently held its third meeting in Adelaide. The meeting was chaired by the Hon Tony McGrady, Queensland Minister for State Development and Innovation. The Ministerial Council comprises Ministers from each State and Territory responsible for health, agriculture or industry development.

The Ministerial Council oversees the national regulatory framework for gene technology in Australia. This is a nationally consistent, cooperative scheme involving the Australian Government and all States and Territories. The scheme began on 21 June 2001 with the commencement of the Gene Technology Act 2000 and has been characterised by a continuously high level of collaboration throughout its development and implementation.

Under the Act the Ministerial Council must conduct an independent review of the operation of the Act, including the structure of the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, to be undertaken as soon as possible after the fourth anniversary of the commencement of the Act. This falls on 21 June 2005.

The Ministerial Council has agreed to the appointment of an independent panel of three people to conduct the review of the Act. The panel will be chaired by Ms Susan Timbs and include Mr Murray Rogers and Ms Kathryn Adams. The Council also endorsed wide ranging terms of reference for the review. The panel will be supported by a full-time Secretariat.

The Ministerial Council also authorised the Gene Technology Regulator, Dr Sue Meek, to proceed with public consultation on proposed changes to clarify and improve the workability of the Gene Technology Regulations 2001. Seven key areas have been identified in consultation with the Gene Technology Advisory Committee and organisations currently involved in work with genetically modified organisms. The suggested amendments address a range of definitional issues, the classification of some dealings and minor administrative improvements.

See: Review of the operations of the Gene Technology Act 2000 and the Intergovernmental Agreement on Gene Technology <http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/gtreview-1>