Biosecurity and Quarantine Arrangements

RURAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT INQUIRY - BIOSECURITY AND QUARANTINE ARRANGEMENTS

On 23 June 2010 the Senate referred the following matter to the Senate Standing Committees on Rural Affairs and Transport for inquiry and report.

a) the adequacy of current biosecurity and quarantine arrangements, including resourcing;
b) projected demand and resourcing requirements;
c) progress toward achievement of reform of Australian Quarantine and Inspection service export fees and charges;
d) progress in implementation of the ‘Beale Review’ recommendations and their place in meeting projected biosecurity demand and resourcing; and
e) any related matters.

This inquiry was re-adopted by the committee in the 43rd Parliament. The committee will accept submissions up to the reporting date.

As part of its current inquiry into Biosecurity and Quarantine Arrangements, the committee has been tasked with examining the "progress toward achievement of reform of Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) export fees and charges".

On 7 and 8 July 2011, the committee conducted follow-up hearings specifically to take evidence regarding the impact of the removal of the fee rebate for AQIS export certification functions. The original hearings in relation to this issue were held in September 2009.

The report was tabled on 10 April 2012 - http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=rrat_ctte/quarantine_2010/report/index.htm