A parliamentary question regarding the delay in introducing bio-prospecting legislation in WA, with the Minister responding that drafting instructions are in progress. The Minister denies that companies are moving to the NT due to the delay.

AnsweredQoN 833Legislative Council
Asked
27 September 2011
Portfolio
Science and Innovation

QuestionView source ↗

BIO-PROSPECTING LEGISLATION
(1) Why has the government not introduced bio-prospecting legislation to govern the use and possible commercialisation of compounds derived from Western Australian fauna and flora over its three years in office? (2) Is the minister aware that several biotechnology companies are being forced to work with the Northern Territory government due to this government’s lack of interest in bringing this important legislation to the Parliament? (3) Will the minister commit to introducing bio-prospecting legislation in this term; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), when? Hon HELEN MORTON

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of the question. (1) The Department for Commerce has finalised approvals for the drafting of bio-prospecting legislation between the Department for Commerce and the Departments of Fisheries and Environment and Conservation. (2) No. (3)–(4) The Department for Commerce is already working on progressing the drafting instructions for the legislation. This process will be undertaken in accordance with the parliamentary schedule.
(2) Is the minister aware that several biotechnology companies are being forced to work with the Northern Territory government due to this government’s lack of interest in bringing this important legislation to the Parliament? (3) Will the minister commit to introducing bio-prospecting legislation in this term; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), when? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question. (1) The Department for Commerce has finalised approvals for the drafting of bio-prospecting legislation between the Department for Commerce and the Departments of Fisheries and Environment and Conservation. (2) No. (3)–(4) The Department for Commerce is already working on progressing the drafting instructions for the legislation. This process will be undertaken in accordance with the parliamentary schedule.
(3) Will the minister commit to introducing bio-prospecting legislation in this term; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), when? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question. (1) The Department for Commerce has finalised approvals for the drafting of bio-prospecting legislation between the Department for Commerce and the Departments of Fisheries and Environment and Conservation. (2) No. (3)–(4) The Department for Commerce is already working on progressing the drafting instructions for the legislation. This process will be undertaken in accordance with the parliamentary schedule.
(4) If yes to (3), when? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question. (1) The Department for Commerce has finalised approvals for the drafting of bio-prospecting legislation between the Department for Commerce and the Departments of Fisheries and Environment and Conservation. (2) No. (3)–(4) The Department for Commerce is already working on progressing the drafting instructions for the legislation. This process will be undertaken in accordance with the parliamentary schedule.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question. (1) The Department for Commerce has finalised approvals for the drafting of bio-prospecting legislation between the Department for Commerce and the Departments of Fisheries and Environment and Conservation. (2) No. (3)–(4) The Department for Commerce is already working on progressing the drafting instructions for the legislation. This process will be undertaken in accordance with the parliamentary schedule.
I thank the member for some notice of the question. (1) The Department for Commerce has finalised approvals for the drafting of bio-prospecting legislation between the Department for Commerce and the Departments of Fisheries and Environment and Conservation. (2) No. (3)–(4) The Department for Commerce is already working on progressing the drafting instructions for the legislation. This process will be undertaken in accordance with the parliamentary schedule.
(1) The Department for Commerce has finalised approvals for the drafting of bio-prospecting legislation between the Department for Commerce and the Departments of Fisheries and Environment and Conservation. (2) No. (3)–(4) The Department for Commerce is already working on progressing the drafting instructions for the legislation. This process will be undertaken in accordance with the parliamentary schedule.
(2) No. (3)–(4) The Department for Commerce is already working on progressing the drafting instructions for the legislation. This process will be undertaken in accordance with the parliamentary schedule.
(3)–(4) The Department for Commerce is already working on progressing the drafting instructions for the legislation. This process will be undertaken in accordance with the parliamentary schedule.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more