Biosecurity Regulation 2016 - Explanatory Statement

The Biosecurity Act 2015 (the Biosecurity Act) provides the Commonwealth with powers to assess and manage the risk of pests and diseases entering Australian territory and causing harm to animal, plant and human health, the environment and the economy. Section 645 of the Biosecurity Act provides that the Governor-General may make regulations regarding matters required or permitted to be prescribed by the Biosecurity Act, or necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to the Biosecurity Act. Under this Section the Governor-General may also make regulations relating to offences and penalties that will apply if a provision under the Biosecurity Act is not complied with.