Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

GENE TECHNOLOGY ACT 2000 - NOTES

No. 169, 2000

Compilation No. 13

Compilation date:   1 July 2016

Includes amendments up to: Act No. 33, 2016

Registered:    13 July 2016

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Gene Technology Act 2000 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 1 July 2016 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Self-repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents

Part 1--Preliminary

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 Object of Act

4 Regulatory framework to achieve object

5 Nationally consistent scheme

6 Act to bind the Crown

7 External Territories

8 Offences

Part 2--Interpretation and operation of Act

Division 1--Simplified outline

9 Simplified outline

Division 2--Definitions

10 Definitions

11 Meaning of intentional release of a GMO into the environment

12 Meaning of corresponding State law

Division 3--Operation of Act

13 Operation of Act

14 Wind-back of reach of Act

15 Relationship to other Commonwealth laws

Division 4--Provisions to facilitate a nationally consistent scheme

Subdivision A--General provisions

16 State laws may operate concurrently

17 Conferral of functions on Commonwealth officers and bodies

18 No doubling-up of liabilities

19 Review of certain decisions

20 Things done for multiple purposes

Subdivision B--Policy principles, policy guidelines and codes of practice

21 Ministerial Council may issue policy principles

22 Consultation on policy principles

23 Ministerial Council may issue policy guidelines

24 Ministerial Council may issue codes of practice

Part 3--The Gene Technology Regulator

25 Simplified outline

26 The Gene Technology Regulator

27 Functions of the Regulator

28 Powers of the Regulator

29 Delegation

30 Independence of the Regulator

Part 4--Regulation of dealings with GMOs

Division 1--Simplified outline

31 Simplified outline

Division 2--Dealings with GMOs must be licensed

32 Person not to deal with a GMO without a licence

33 Person not to deal with a GMO without a licence--strict liability offence

34 Person must not breach conditions of a GMO licence

35 Person must not breach conditions of a GMO licence--strict liability offence

35A Person must not breach conditions of emergency dealing determination

35B Person must not breach conditions of emergency dealing determination--strict liability offence

36 Person must not breach conditions on GMO Register

37 Offence relating to notifiable low risk dealings

38 Aggravated offences--significant damage to health or safety of people or to the environment

Part 5--Licensing system

Division 1--Simplified outline

39 Simplified outline

Division 2--Licence applications

40 Person may apply for a licence

40A Licences relating to inadvertent dealings

41 Application may be withdrawn

42 Regulator may require applicant to give further information

43 Regulator must consider applications except in certain circumstances

44 Regulator may consult with applicant

45 Regulator must not use certain information in considering licence application

Division 3--Initial consideration of licences for dealings not involving intentional release of a GMO into the environment

46 Applications to which this Division applies

46A Division does not apply to an application relating to inadvertent dealings

47 What the Regulator must do in relation to application

Division 4--Initial consideration of licences for dealings involving intentional release of a GMO into the environment

48 Applications to which this Division applies

49 Division does not apply to an application relating to inadvertent dealings

50 Regulator must prepare risk assessment and risk management plan

50A Limited and controlled release applications

51 Matters Regulator must take into account in preparing risk assessment and risk management plan

52 Public notification of risk assessment and risk management plan

53 Regulator may take other actions

54 Person may request copies of certain documents

Division 5--Decision on licence etc.

55 Regulator must make a decision on licence and licence conditions

56 Regulator must not issue the licence unless satisfied as to risk management

57 Other circumstances in which Regulator must not issue the licence

58 Matters to be taken into account in deciding whether a person is suitable to hold a licence

59 Notification of licence decision

60 Period of licence

Division 6--Conditions of licences

61 Licence is subject to conditions

62 Conditions that may be prescribed or imposed

63 Condition about informing people of obligations

64 Condition about monitoring and audits

65 Condition about additional information to be given to the Regulator

66 Person may give information to Regulator

67 Protection of persons who give information

Division 7--Suspension, cancellation and variation of licences

68 Suspension and cancellation of licence

69 Surrender of licence

70 Transfer of licences

71 Variation of licence

72 Regulator to notify of proposed suspension, cancellation or variation

Part 5A--Emergency dealing determinations

Division 1--Simplified outline

72A Simplified outline

Division 2--Making of emergency dealing determination

72B Minister may make emergency dealing determination

72C Period of effect of emergency dealing determination

Division 3--Effect and conditions of emergency dealing determination

72D Emergency dealing determination authorises dealings, subject to conditions

Division 4--Variation, suspension and revocation of emergency dealing determination

72E Variation, suspension and revocation of emergency dealing determination

Part 6--Regulation of notifiable low risk dealings and dealings on the GMO Register

Division 1--Simplified outline

73 Simplified outline

Division 2--Notifiable low risk dealings

74 Notifiable low risk dealings

75 Regulation of notifiable low risk dealings

Division 3--The GMO Register

76 GMO Register

77 Contents of Register

78 Regulator may include dealings with GMOs on GMO Register

79 Regulator not to make determination unless risks can be managed

80 Variation of GMO Register

81 Inspection of Register

Part 7--Certification and accreditation

Division 1--Simplified outline

82 Simplified outline

Division 2--Certification

83 Application for certification

84 When the Regulator may certify the facility

85 Regulator may require applicant to give further information

86 Conditions of certification

87 Variation of certification

88 Suspension or cancellation of certification

89 Regulator to notify of proposed suspension, cancellation or variation

89A Transfer of certification

90 Guidelines

Division 3--Accredited organisations

91 Application for accreditation

92 Regulator may accredit organisations

93 Regulator may require applicant to give further information

94 Conditions of accreditation

95 Variation of accreditation

96 Suspension or cancellation of accreditation

97 Regulator to notify of proposed suspension, cancellation or variation

98 Guidelines

Part 8--The Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and the Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee

Division 1--Simplified outline

99 Simplified outline

Division 2--The Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee

100 The Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee

101 Function of the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee

102 Expert advisers

103 Remuneration

104 Members and procedures

105 Subcommittees

Division 3--The Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee

106 The Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee

107 Function of Ethics and Community Committee

108 Membership

109 Remuneration

110 Membership and Procedures

111 Subcommittees

112 Expert advisers

Part 9--Administration

Division 1--Simplified outline

117 Simplified outline

Division 2--Appointment and conditions of Regulator

118 Appointment of the Regulator

119 Termination of appointment

120 Disclosure of interests

121 Acting appointment

122 Terms and conditions

123 Outside employment

124 Remuneration

125 Leave of absence

126 Resignation

Division 3--Money

127 Regulator may charge for services

128 Notional payments by the Commonwealth

129 Gene Technology Account

130 Credits to Account

131 Recovery of amounts

132 Purposes of Account

Division 4--Staffing

133 Staff assisting the Regulator

134 Consultants

135 Seconded officers

Division 5--Reporting requirements

136 Annual Report

137 Reports to Parliament

Division 6--Record of GMO Dealings

138 Record of GMO Dealings

139 Inspection of Record

Division 7--Reviews of notifiable low risk dealings and exemptions

140 Regulator may review notifiable low risk dealings

141 Regulator may review exemptions

142 Regulator may give notice of consideration

143 What Regulator may do after consideration

144 Regulator not required to review matters

Part 10--Enforcement

145 Simplified outline

146 Regulator may give directions

147 Injunctions

148 Forfeiture

Part 11--Powers of inspection

Division 1--Simplified outline

149 Simplified outline

Division 2--Appointment of inspectors and identity cards

150 Appointment of inspectors

151 Identity card

Division 3--Monitoring powers

152 Powers available to inspectors for monitoring compliance

153 Monitoring powers

Division 4--Offence-related powers

154 Searches and seizures related to offences

155 Offence-related powers of inspectors in relation to premises

156 Use of equipment at premises

Division 5--Expert assistance

157 Expert assistance to operate a thing

Division 6--Emergency powers

158 Powers available to inspectors for dealing with dangerous situations

Division 7--Obligations and incidental powers of inspectors

159 Inspector must produce identity card on request

160 Consent

161 Details of warrant to be given to occupier etc.

162 Announcement before entry

163 Compensation for damage

Division 8--Power to search goods, baggage etc.

164 Power to search goods, baggage etc.

165 Seizure of goods

Division 9--General provisions relating to search and seizure

166 Copies of seized things to be provided

167 Occupier entitled to be present during search

168 Receipts for things seized

169 Retention of seized things

170 Magistrate may permit a thing to be retained

171 Disposal of goods if there is no owner or owner cannot be located

Division 10--Warrants

172 Monitoring warrants

173 Offence-related warrants

174 Offence-related warrants by telephone, telex, fax etc.

175 Offences relating to warrants

Division 11--Other matters

176 Part not to abrogate privilege against self-incrimination

177 Part does not limit power to impose conditions

Part 12--Miscellaneous

Division 1--Simplified outline

178 Simplified outline

Division 2--Review of decisions

179 Meaning of terms

180 Notification of decisions and review rights

181 Internal review

182 Deadlines for making reviewable decisions

183 Review of decisions by Administrative Appeals Tribunal

183A Extended standing for judicial review

Division 3--Confidential commercial information

184 Application for protection of confidential commercial information

185 Regulator may declare that information is confidential commercial information

186 Revocation of declaration

187 Confidential commercial information must not be disclosed

Division 4--Conduct by directors, employees and agents

188 Conduct by directors, employees and agents

189 Meaning of terms

Division 5--Transitional provisions

190 Transitional provision--dealings covered by Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee advice to proceed

191 Regulations may relate to transitional matters

Division 6--Other

192 False or misleading information or document

192A Interference with dealings with GMOs

193 Regulations

194 Review of operation of Act

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Abbreviation key--Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history--Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation "(md)" added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation "(md not incorp)" is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted	o = order(s)
am = amended	Ord = Ordinance
amdt = amendment	orig = original
c = clause(s)	par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
C[x] = Compilation No. x	/sub-subparagraph(s)
Ch = Chapter(s)	pres = present
def = definition(s)	prev = previous
Dict = Dictionary	(prev ... ) = previously
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament	Pt = Part(s)
Div = Division(s)	r = regulation(s)/rule(s)
ed = editorial change	reloc = relocated
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have	renum = renumbered
effect	rep = repealed
F = Federal Register of Legislation	rs = repealed and substituted
gaz = gazette	s = section(s)/subsection(s)
LA = Legislation Act 2003	Sch = Schedule(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003	Sdiv = Subdivision(s)
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given	SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
effect	SR = Statutory Rules
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment	Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)
cannot be given effect	SubPt = Subpart(s)
mod = modified/modification	underlining = whole or part not
No. = Number(s)	commenced or to be commenced

Endnote 3--Legislation history

 

Act	Number and year	Assent	Commencement	Application, saving and transitional provisions
Gene Technology Act 2000	169, 2000	21 Dec 2000	s 1 and 2: 21 Dec 2000 (s 2(1)) s 10, 26, 27(b)-(l), 28-30, 120, 121, 129, 130 and 132-135: 20 Apr 2001 (Gazette 2001, No  S140) Remainder: 22 June 2001
Australia New Zealand Food Authority Amendment Act 2001	81, 2001	10 July 2001	Sch 3 (item 2): 1 July 2002 (s 2(5)(b) and gaz 2002, No GN30)	--
Prohibition of Human Cloning Act 2002	144, 2002	19 Dec 2002	s 3-26 and Sch 1: 16 Jan 2003 (s 2(1) item 2) Remainder: 19 Dec 2002 (s 2(1) item 1)	--
Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2006	30, 2006	6 Apr 2006	Sch 1 (items 25-28): 7 Apr 2006	--
Gene Technology Amendment Act 2007	99, 2007	28 June 2007	Sch 1 (items 1-23, 36-61) and Sch 2: 1 July 2007 (s 2(1) items 2, 4, 5) Sch 1 (items 24-35): 1 Jan 2008 (s 2(1) item 3) Remainder: 28 June 2007 (s 2(1) item 1)	Sch 1 (item 35)
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Trustee Board and Other Measures) (Consequential Amendments) Act 2008	26, 2008	23 June 2008	Sch 1 (items 73-76): 23 June 2008 (s 2(1) item 4)	--
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Serious and Organised Crime) Act (No. 2) 2010	4, 2010	19 Feb 2010	Sch 11 (item 11): 20 Feb 2010	--
Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011	46, 2011	27 June 2011	Sch 2 (items 650-652) and Sch 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011	Sch 3 (items 10, 11)
Superannuation Legislation (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2011	58, 2011	28 June 2011	Sch 1 (items 90-93): 1 July 2011 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2014	62, 2014	30 June 2014	Sch 9 (items 119-122) and Sch 14: 1 July 2014 (s 2(1) items 6, 14 )	Sch 14
as amended by
Public Governance and Resources Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2015	36, 2015	13 Apr 2015	Sch 2 (items 7-9) and Sch 7: 14 Apr 2015 (s 2)	Sch 7
as amended by
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015	126, 2015	10 Sept 2015	Sch 1 (item 486): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015	126, 2015	10 Sept 2015	Sch 1 (item 495): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) Act 2015	10, 2015	5 Mar 2015	Sch 3 (items 152-159, 348, 349): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)	Sch 3 (items 348, 349)
Gene Technology Amendment Act 2015	121, 2015	10 Sept 2015	Sch 1: 10 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)	Sch 1 (items 3, 6, 19, 21)
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 1) 2016	4, 2016	11 Feb 2016	Sch 4 (items, 1, 178): 10 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 6)	--
Territories Legislation Amendment Act 2016	33, 2016	23 Mar 2016	Sch 5 (item 59): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 7)	--

Endnote 4--Amendment history

 

Provision affected	How affected
Part 1
s 7.....................	am No. 33, 2016
s 8.....................	am No 4, 2016
Part 2
Division 2
s. 10....................	am. No. 99, 2007; No. 58, 2011; No 121, 2015
Division 4
Subdivision A
s. 17....................	am. No. 99, 2007; No 121, 2015
Subdivision B
s 21....................	am No 10, 2015
s. 22....................	am. No. 99, 2007
s. 24....................	am. No. 99, 2007; No 10, 2015
Part 3
s 30....................	am No 121, 2015
Part 4
Division 1
s. 31....................	am. No. 99, 2007
Division 2
s. 32....................	am. No. 99, 2007; No 4, 2016
s. 33....................	am. No. 99, 2007; No 4, 2016
s. 34....................	am. No. 99, 2007; No 4, 2016
s 35....................	am No 4, 2016
s. 35A...................	ad. No. 99, 2007
	am No 4, 2016
s. 35B...................	ad No 99, 2007
	am No 4, 2016
s 36....................	am No 4, 2016
s 37....................	am No 4, 2016
Part 5
Division 2
s. 40A...................	ad. No. 99, 2007
ss. 42, 43.................	am. No. 99, 2007
Division 3
s. 46A...................	ad. No. 99, 2007
	am No 121, 2015
Division 4
s. 49....................	rs. No. 99, 2007
	am No 121, 2015
s. 50....................	am. No. 99, 2007
s. 50A...................	ad. No. 99, 2007
s. 51....................	am. No. 99, 2007
s. 52....................	am. No. 99, 2007; No 121, 2015
Division 5
s. 56....................	am. No. 99, 2007
Note to s. 56...............	ad. No. 99, 2007
s. 57....................	am. No. 99, 2007
s. 60....................	am. No. 99, 2007
Division 6
s. 67....................	am. No. 99, 2007
Division 7
s 71....................	am. No. 99, 2007; No 121, 2015
s 72....................	am No 99, 2007
Part 5A
Part 5A..................	ad. No. 99, 2007
Division 1
s. 72A...................	ad. No. 99, 2007
Division 2
ss. 72B, 72C...............	ad. No. 99, 2007
Division 3
s. 72D...................	ad. No. 99, 2007
Division 4
s. 72E...................	ad. No. 99, 2007
Part 6
Division2
s 74....................	am No 121, 2015
Division 3
s. 78....................	am. No. 99, 2007; No 10, 2015
Part 7
Division 1
s. 82....................	am. No. 99, 2007
Division 2
s 80....................	am No 10, 2015
Note to s. 83(2).............	am. No. 99, 2007
s. 89....................	am. No. 99, 2007
s. 89A...................	ad. No. 99, 2007
Division 3
Note to s. 91(1).............	rep. No. 99, 2007
Notes 1, 2 to s. 91(1).........	ad. No. 99, 2007
s. 92....................	am. No. 99, 2007
s. 97....................	am. No. 99, 2007
Part 8
Heading to Part 8...........	rs. No. 99, 2007
Division 1
s. 99....................	am. No. 99, 2007
Division 2
s. 100...................	am. No. 99, 2007
Division 3
Div. 3 of Part 8.............	rs. No. 99, 2007
s. 106...................	rs. No. 99, 2007
s. 107...................	rs. No. 99, 2007
s. 108...................	rs. No. 99, 2007
s. 109...................	rs. No. 99, 2007
s. 110...................	rs. No. 99, 2007
s. 110A..................	rep. No. 99, 2007
ss. 111, 112...............	rs. No. 99, 2007
Div. 4 of Part 8.............	rep. No. 99, 2007
ss. 113-116...............	rep. No. 99, 2007
Part 9
Division 1
s 117...................	am No 62, 2014; No 121, 2015
Division 2
s. 119...................	am. No. 26, 2008; No. 58, 2011
s. 121...................	am. No. 46, 2011
Note to s. 121..............	ad. No. 46, 2011
Division 3
s 128...................	am No 62, 2014
s 129...................	am No 62, 2014
s. 130...................	am. No. 30, 2006
Note to s. 130(1)............	ad. No. 30, 2006
	am No 62, 2014
Division 5
s 136...................	am No 121, 2015
s. 136A..................	am. No. 99, 2007
	rep No 121, 2015
Division 6
Division 6 heading..........	rs No 121, 2015
s. 138...................	am. No. 81, 2001; No. 99, 2007; No 121, 2015
Part 10
s. 145...................	am. No. 99, 2007
s. 146...................	am. No. 99, 2007
Part 11
Division 1
s. 149...................	am. No. 99, 2007
Division 3
s. 152...................	am. No. 99, 2007
Division 11
Heading to s. 177...........	am. No. 99, 2007
s. 177...................	am. No. 99, 2007
Part 12
Division 2
s. 179...................	am. No. 99, 2007
s. 182...................	am. No. 99, 2007
Division 3
s. 185...................	am. No. 99, 2007
Division 4
s. 189...................	am. No. 4, 2010
Division 6
s. 192A..................	am. No. 99, 2007; No 4, 2016
ss. 192B-192D.............	rep. No. 144, 2002