Guy Barnett,Minister for Primary Industries and Water
The Hodgman majority Liberal Government is committed to strengthening Tasmania’s biosecurity systems to protect our primary industries, environment, community and the tourism sector.
I am proud to announce that today the Biosecurity Bill 2019 has passed both Houses of Parliment without amendment.
This landmark legislation replaces seven current Acts with a single streamlined modern statute that is “fit-for-purpose”.
Tasmania is reliant on a rigorous and effective biosecurity system to protect our annual $2.4 billion agri-food production, our $3 billion in exports and our $3.03 billion tourism industry.
This legislation will ensure Tasmania has modern biosecurity laws capable of progressing the Tasmanian Biosecurity Strategy, whilst minimising red tape for business and the general community.
It is the outcome of more than four years of extensive consultation with, and broad support from, industry groups and will underpin our efforts to grow the value of agriculture to $10 billion per annum by 2050.
The Hodgman majority Liberal Government takes biosecurity very seriously, and we are backing this with real action to protect Tasmanian primary industries and our environment.
We have invested significantly in biosecurity, doubled the number of detector dog teams, and invested more to boost frontline services to meet seasonal demands. This Government has also delivered vital biosecurity infrastructure including improved systems in our diagnostic laboratories, increased border signage, and the Powranna truck wash and we are investing more to tackle pests and weeds.
This legislation is the next step in modernising our biosecurity systems so they can continue protecting us for the next 30 years.
