Australian Capital Territory
Explanatory Statement
Gene Technology Advisory Council Appointment 2009 (No 1)
Disallowable Instrument DI2009—9
made under the
Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Act 2004 - section 11 (Advisory Council)

The ACT Gene Technology Advisory Council (the Council) is established under section 11 of the Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Act 2004 (the Act).  Under subsection 11(2) of the Act, the Council consists of eight (8) members, appointed by the Minister for Health.

Under subsection 11(3) of the Act, the Minister must try to ensure that the following people are appointed as members: a person nominated by the chief executive who is to be the chairperson of the advisory council; a person nominated by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO); a person nominated by a university based in the ACT who has professional skills or experience in research in a field relevant to gene technology; a person nominated by the ACT Rural Lessees’ Association; a person nominated by the ACT Sustainable Lands Group; a person nominated by the Canberra Region Branch Biotechnology Group of AusBiotech; a person who has professional skills or experience in the marketing of food crops; and a person to represent the community generally.

The purpose of the Act is to designate the ACT as an area in which certain genetically modified (GM) food plants may not be cultivated, in order to preserve the identity of GM and/or non-GM crops for marketing purposes.

This instrument makes an appointment to the Council under the Legislation Act 2001.  Accordingly, the instrument is a disallowable instrument.

Ms Amanda Plowright, Self Help Organisations Unite Together (SHOUT Incorporated) is to be appointed as a part-time member of the Council to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of community representative, Ms Darlene Cox, Executive Director, Health Care Consumers’ Association ACT.  Ms Plowright is to be appointed for the term of the existing Council, which expires in December 2010.  Ms Plowright is not currently employed as a public servant.

Serving members of the Council are Dr Charles Guest (Chair), Professor Philip Board (Australian National University), Dr Tony Griffin (ACT Rural Landholders Association), Dr Mikael Hirsch (CSIRO), Professor John Lovett (AgBio Advisory Board), Mr John Lowe (ACT Sustainable Lands Group) and Ms Sally Milner (Pialligo Estate Wines).

Consultation with the Standing Committee on Health, Community and Social Services has taken place in accordance with the Legislation Act 2001.