Biosecurity legislation reform

The Biosecurity Legislation Reform package is currently in the Committee stage with key components expected to pass though Parliament by April this year.

There are 3 potential impacts for our Ports clients.

First you may need to reapply to be a proclaimed as a port of first entry into Australia.

Secondly, the reforms may increase compliance costs. Before determining a port to be a point of first entry under the proposed laws, the Director of Biosecurity must be satisfied that the level of biosecurity risk associated with the port operations is acceptable. Other requirements are likely to include boundary controls, waste management systems, infrastructure and maintaining adequate facilities on site for biosecurity officers. These further requirements will be published in the regulations at a later date however port operators can expect that some facilities will require significant upgrades in order to meet the regulatory requirements.

Thirdly, clients should also be aware that these reforms are also intended to cut the number of applications from vessels to land at non-proclaimed first-entry ports by 50%.

Please contact the Ports & Transport team at Davis Advisory for further information about the reforms and strategic advice on your compliance options.