Hon. Kate Doust questions the Minister regarding the adequacy of current legislation for biodiscovery and bioprospecting, the delay in introducing new legislation, and requests the tabling of a relevant report. The Minister confirms progress towards a bioprospecting bill.

AnsweredQoN 23Legislative Council
Asked
7 March 2012
Portfolio
Science and Innovation

QuestionView source ↗

BIODISCOVERY LEGISLATION
23. Hon KATE DOUST to the minister representing the
Minister for Science and Innovation:
(1) Does the government consider that the
current legislation and regulatory framework are able to adequately support
biodiscovery and bioprospecting in Western Australia?
(2) If not, for what reason is the
government yet to introduce biodiscovery legislation to Parliament?
(3) Can the minister confirm that a report
was produced by the Department of Industry and Resources in late 2008 regarding
this issue; and, if so, will he table a copy?
(4) Will the minister commit to introducing
and prioritising this legislation in 2012; and, if not, why not?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1)–(2),
(4) In August 2011, cabinet approved the preparation of drafting instructions
for a WA bioprospecting bill. The Department of Commerce is aiming to finalise
the drafting instructions by March 2012 for introduction into Parliament this
year.
(3) A draft
report, ''Bioprospecting in Western Australia — A Proposed
Framework'' was produced by the Department of Industry and Resources.
However, this was an internal report designed only for reference.

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