2007

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

ANIMAL DISEASES AMENDMENT BILL 2007 

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Circulated with the authority of
Mr Jon Stanhope MLA
Minister for the Environment, Water and Climate Change

ANIMAL DISEASES AMENDMENT BILL 2007 

Overview of Bill

This Bill amends the Animal Diseases Act 2005 (“the principal Act”) to permit the Director of Animal Hygiene to delegate his powers not only to members of the ACT Public service, but also to members of the Australian Federal Police (“the AFP”).  The amendments also permit members of the AFP to carry out functions of authorised people under the principal Act.

These amendments are intended to ensure that adequate numbers of personnel are available to manage an outbreak of an animal disease in the ACT or any quarantine arrangements under the principal Act.

Financial Implications
There are no financial implications arising from this Bill.

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Clause Notes

Clause 1	Name of Act – states the title of the Act as the Animal Diseases Amendment Act 2007.

Clause 2	Commencement – provides for the commencement for the Act on the day after its notification on the ACT Legislation Register.

Clause 3	Legislation amended – this Act amends the Animal Diseases Act 2005 (“the principal Act.”)

Clause 4	Delegation by Director– Section 8 – this provision will allow the Director of Veterinary Hygiene to delegate his powers under the principal Act not only to ACT public servants, but also to police officers.  It should be noted that the Legislation Act 2001 defines “police officer” to mean a member or special member of the Australian Federal Police.

Clause 5	Appointment of authorised people – new section 64(3) – this provision broadens the class of authorised people for the purposes of the principal Act to include police officers.

Clause 6	Identity cards – section 65(1) – this provision clarifies that the Chief Executive is not required to issue police officers with identity cards for the purposes of the principal Act, as police have their own form of identification.

Clause 7	Dictionary, note 2, new dot point – this provision adds a new dot point at the commencement of the dictionary to the principal Act which explains that the Legislation Act 2001 provides a definition of “police officer”.