South Australia act

Gene Technology Act 2001

In ForceSA

Jurisdiction

South Australia

Collection

act

Plain English Summary

8/10 complexity

Creates a licensing and compliance regime for any "dealings" with genetically modified organisms in South Australia, sets criminal offences, inspection and warrant powers, a GMO Register, facility certification and accreditation, and an independent Gene Technology Regulator. It aims to protect human health and the environment (s3).

Licence-holders bear fees and an annual charge; the Regulator decides licences and conditions while the Minister can make emergency dealing determinations. The law changes behaviour by requiring licences, notifications, audits and information‑sharing and by imposing strict‑liability and aggravated offences.

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What it does

The Gene Technology Act 2001 (SA) creates a statutory regime for regulating specified dealings with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in South Australia. Its stated object is to protect human health and safety and the environment by identifying and managing risks posed by gene technology (s 3). The Act does that through a licensing system for dealings with GMOs (Parts 4 and 5), a mechanism for emergency authorisations (Part 5A), a framework for lower‑risk notifiable dealings and a public GMO Register (Part 6), powers to certify facilities and accredit organisations (Part 7), and a set of inspection, enforcement and review powers (Parts 10-12).

Mechanically, the core prohibitions are straightforward. A person must not deal with a GMO unless the dealing is authorised by a GMO licence (s 32), is specified in an emergency dealing determination (s 72B and s 72D), is a notifiable low risk dealing (as declared by regulation under s 74), is an exempt dealing (s 32(3)), or is included on the GMO Register (s 76-79). The Act distinguishes between strict liability offences (for certain breaches of licensing and register conditions, s 33, s 35, s 35B, s 36, s 37) and offences requiring knowledge or recklessness (s 32, s 34, s 35A). It also provides aggravated offence provisions where the conduct causes, or is likely to cause, significant damage to health or the environment, with higher maximum penalties (s 38 and the penalty provisions in ss 32, 34, 35A).

Decision‑makers and institutions are defined and empowered. The Gene Technology Regulator (the Regulator) has functions including licensing, preparing risk assessments and risk management plans, issuing technical guidelines, certifying facilities, accrediting organisations and maintaining a Record of GMO dealings (s 27, s 129, s 138). The Minister may make emergency dealing determinations in specific circumstances usually tied to a corresponding Commonwealth determination (s 72B(2)). The Ministerial Council may issue policy principles, policy guidelines and codes of practice that the Regulator must have regard to and that can constrain licensing (s 21, s 23, s 24, s 56-57).

Current sections

Direct links to the current provisions in Gene Technology Act 2001.

Part 1

Preliminary

Part 1—Preliminary 1—Short title (1) This Act may be cited as the Gene Technology Act 2001. (2) This Act may also be referred to as— (a) the Gene Technology Law of South Australia; or (b) the Gene Technology Law. 3—Object of Act The object of this Act is to protect the health and safety of people, and to protect the environment, by identifying risks posed by or as a result of gene technology, and by managing those risks through regulating certain dealings with GMOs. 4—Regulatory framework to achieve object The object of this Act is to be achieved through a regulatory framework which— (aa) provides that where there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, a lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation; and (a) provides an efficient and effective system for the application of gene technologies; and (b) operates in conjunction with other Commonwealth and State regulatory schemes relevant to GMOs and GMO products. Examples of the schemes mentioned in paragraph (b) are those that regulate food, agricultural and veterinary chemicals, industrial chemicals and therapeutic goods or substances. 5—Nationally consistent scheme It is the intention of the Parliament that this Act form a component of a nationally consistent scheme for the regulation of certain dealings with GMOs by the Commonwealth and the States. 5A—Amendments to Act to maintain national consistency (a) the Parliament of the Commonwealth enacts an amendment to the Commonwealth Act (the Commonwealth amendment); and (b) the Governor is satisfied that an amendment that corresponds, or substantially corresponds, to the Commonwealth amendment should be made to this Act, the Governor may, by regulation, amend this Act to give effect to the Commonwealth amendment as a law of South Australia. (2) The Governor may, as part of any regulation made under subsection (1) in respect of a Commonwealth amendment, make any additional provision (including so as to modify the terms of the Commonwealth amendment or to provide for related or transitional matters) considered by the Governor to be necessary to ensure that the Commonwealth amendment has proper effect under the law of South Australia. (3) A regulation made under this section in respect of a Commonwealth amendment may, if the regulation so provides, take effect from the day of the commencement of the Commonwealth amendment (including a day that is earlier than the day of the regulation's publication in the Gazette). 6—Act to bind the Crown (1) This Act binds the Crown in right of South Australia and, so far as the legislative power of the Parliament permits, the Crown in all its other capacities. (2) Nothing in this Act renders the Crown liable to be prosecuted for an offence. 7—External Territories The Commonwealth Act includes a provision extending that Act to every external Territory other than Norfolk Island. 8—Offences The Commonwealth Act includes a provision applying Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code to offences against that Act and construing penalty provisions in that Act. 8A—Numbering (1) In order to maintain consistent numbering between this Act and the Gene Technology Act 2000 of the Commonwealth— (a) if the Commonwealth Act contains a section that is not required in this Act, the provision number and heading to the section appearing in the Commonwealth Act are included in this Act despite the omission of the body of the section; and (b) if this Act contains a section that is not included in the Commonwealth Act, the section is numbered so as to maintain consistency in numbering between sections common to both Acts. (2) A provision number and heading referred to in subsection (1)(a) form part of this Act. 1 A note appears under each heading of a kind referred to in subsection (1)(a) describing the omitted section of the Commonwealth Act. 2 A note appears under each section of a kind referred to in subsection (1)(b) highlighting the non-appearance of an equivalent section in the Commonwealth Act.

This section does not appear in the Commonwealth Act.

3 This section does not appear in the Commonwealth Act. 8B—Notes Notes form part of this Act. This section does not appear in the Commonwealth Act. 8C—Outlines The provisions appearing at the beginning of Parts 2 to 12 outlining the Part are intended only as a guide to readers as to the general scheme and effect of that Part. This section does not appear in the Commonwealth Act.

Part 2

Interpretation and operation of Act

Part 2—Interpretation and operation of Act 9—Simplified outline (a) contains the definitions used in this Act; (b) contains provisions to facilitate a nationally consistent regulatory scheme; (c) enables the Ministerial Council to issue policy principles, policy guidelines and codes of practice. This section differs from section 9 of the Commonwealth Act.

Div 2

Definitions

Division 2—Definitions 10—Definitions (1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears— accredited organisation means an organisation accredited under Division 3 of Part 7; aggravated offence has the meaning given by section 38; Commonwealth Act means the Gene Technology Act 2000 of the Commonwealth; Commonwealth authority means the following: (a) a body corporate established for a public purpose by or under a Commonwealth Act; (b) a company in which a controlling interest is held by any one of the following persons, or by two or more of the following persons together: (i) the Commonwealth; (ii) a body covered by paragraph (a); (iii) a body covered by either of the above subparagraphs; confidential commercial information means information declared by the Regulator to be confidential commercial information under section 185; containment level, in relation to a facility, means the degree of physical confinement of GMOs provided by the facility, having regard to the design of the facility, the equipment located or installed in the facility and the procedures generally used within the facility; corresponding Commonwealth emergency dealing determination, in relation to an emergency dealing determination under this Act, means a determination under section 72B of the Commonwealth Act that specifies the same kind of dealings as those proposed to be specified in, or specified in, the emergency dealing determination under this Act; deal with, in relation to a GMO, means the following: (a) conduct experiments with the GMO; (b) make, develop, produce or manufacture the GMO; (c) breed the GMO; (d) propagate the GMO; (e) use the GMO in the course of manufacture of a thing that is not the GMO; (f) grow, raise or culture the GMO; (g) import the GMO; (h) transport the GMO; (i) dispose of the GMO, and includes the possession, supply or use of the GMO for the purposes of, or in the course of, a dealing mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (i); eligible person, in relation to a reviewable decision, has the meaning given by section 179; emergency dealing determination means a determination in force under section 72B; environment includes— (a) ecosystems and their constituent parts; and (b) natural and physical resources; and (c) the qualities and characteristics of locations, places and areas; Environment Australia means— (a) the Commonwealth department of that name; or (b) if there is no Commonwealth department of that name—a department or agency prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition; Ethics and Community Committee means the Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee established by section 106 of the Commonwealth Act; evidential material means any of the following: (a) a thing with respect to which an offence against this Act or the regulations has been committed or is suspected, on reasonable grounds, to have been committed; (b) a thing that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting will afford evidence as to the commission of any such offence; (c) a thing that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting is intended to be used for the purpose of committing any such offence; facility includes, but is not limited to, the following: (a) a building or part of a building; (b) a laboratory; (c) an aviary; (d) a glasshouse; (e) an insectary; (f) an animal house; (g) an aquarium or tank; gene technology means any technique for the modification of genes or other genetic material, but does not include— (a) sexual reproduction; or (b) homologous recombination; or (c) any other technique specified in the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph; Gene Technology Account means the Gene Technology Account established by section 129 of the Commonwealth Act; Gene Technology Agreement means the Gene Technology Agreement made for the purposes of this Act between the Commonwealth and at least four States, as in force from time to time; Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee means the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee established by section 100 of the Commonwealth Act; genetically modified organism means— (a) an organism that has been modified by gene technology; or (b) an organism that has inherited particular traits from an organism (the initial organism), being traits that occurred in the initial organism because of gene technology; or (c) anything declared by the regulations to be a genetically modified organism, or that belongs to a class of things declared by the regulations to be genetically modified organisms, but does not include— (d) a human being, if the human being is covered by paragraph (a) only because the human being has undergone somatic cell gene therapy; or (e) an organism declared by the regulations not to be a genetically modified organism, or that belongs to a class of organisms declared by the regulations not to be genetically modified organisms; GMO means a genetically modified organism; GMO licence means a licence issued under section 55; GMO Register means the GMO Register established by section 76 of the Commonwealth Act; GM product means a thing (other than a GMO) derived or produced from a GMO; inadvertent dealings application means an application for a GMO licence to which Division 3 or 4 of Part 5 does not apply because of the operation of section 46A or 49; Institutional Biosafety Committee means a committee established as an Institutional Biosafety Committee in accordance with written guidelines issued by the Regulator under section 98; jurisdiction means the following: (a) a State; or (b) the Commonwealth; licence holder means the holder of a GMO licence; local council means a council within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1999; Ministerial Council means the Ministerial Council within the meaning of the Gene Technology Agreement; notifiable low risk dealing has the meaning given by section 74; officer, in relation to the Commonwealth, includes the following: (a) a Minister of the Crown in right of the Commonwealth; (b) a person who holds— (i) an office established by or under a Commonwealth Act; or (ii) an appointment made under a Commonwealth Act; or (iii) an appointment made by the Governor-General or a Minister of the Crown in right of the Commonwealth but not under a Commonwealth Act; (c) a person who is a member or officer of a Commonwealth authority; (d) a person who is in the service or employment of the Commonwealth or of a Commonwealth authority, or is employed or engaged under a Commonwealth Act; organism means any biological entity that is— (a) viable; or (b) capable of reproduction; or (c) capable of transferring genetic material; person covered by a GMO licence means a person authorised by a GMO licence to deal with a GMO; premises includes the following: (a) a building; (b) a place (including an area of land); (c) a vehicle; (d) a vessel; (e) an aircraft; (f) a facility; (g) any part of premises (including premises referred to in paragraphs (a) to (f)); Record means the Record of GMO Dealings mentioned in section 138 of the Commonwealth Act; Regulator means the Gene Technology Regulator appointed under section 118 of the Commonwealth Act; reviewable decision has the meaning given by section 179; State includes the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory; State agency means the following: (a) the Crown in right of South Australia; (b) a Minister of the Crown in right of South Australia; (c) an administrative unit of the Public Service; (d) an instrumentality of the State of South Australia, including a body corporate established for a public purpose by or under a law of the State of South Australia; (e) a company in which a controlling interest is held by any one of the following persons, or by two or more of the following persons together: (i) the Crown in right of South Australia; (ii) a person or body covered by paragraph (b) or (d); (iii) a person or body covered by either of the above subparagraphs; thing includes a substance, and a thing in electronic or magnetic form; Tribunal means the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal established under the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013. (2) If this Act requires or permits the Ministerial Council to do a thing, the Ministerial Council must do the thing in accordance with any requirements specified in the Gene Technology Agreement. This section differs from section 10 of the Commonwealth Act. 11—Meaning of intentional release of a GMO into the environment For the purposes of this Act, a dealing with a GMO involves the intentional release of the GMO into the environment if the GMO is intentionally released into the open environment, whether or not it is released with provision for limiting the dissemination or persistence of the GMO or its genetic material in the environment. 12—Meaning of corresponding State law The Commonwealth Act includes a provision defining corresponding State law for the purposes of that Act.

Div 3

Operation of Act

Division 3—Operation of Act 13—Operation of Act The Commonwealth Act includes a provision about the application of that Act. 14—Wind-back of reach of Act The Commonwealth Act includes a provision about the giving of wind-back notices by a State. 15—Relationship to other State laws The provisions of this Act are in addition to, and not in substitution for, the requirements of any other law of the State of South Australia (whether passed or made before or after the commencement of this section). The equivalent section in the Commonwealth Act deals with the relationship of that Act to other Commonwealth laws.

Div 4

Provisions to facilitate a nationally consistent scheme

Division 4—Provisions to facilitate a nationally consistent scheme

Subdiv 1

General provisions

Subdivision 1—General provisions 16—State laws may operate concurrently The Commonwealth Act includes a provision allowing State laws (apart from State laws prescribed for the purposes of the provision) to operate concurrently with that Act. 17—Conferral of functions on Commonwealth officers and bodies The Commonwealth Act includes a provision allowing corresponding State laws to confer functions, powers and duties on certain Commonwealth officers and bodies. 18—No doubling-up of liabilities (a) an act or omission is an offence against this Act and is also an offence against the Commonwealth Act; and (b) the offender has been punished for the offence under the Commonwealth Act, the offender is not liable to be punished for the offence under this Act. (2) If a person has been ordered to pay a pecuniary penalty under the Commonwealth Act, the person is not liable to a pecuniary penalty under this Act in respect of the same conduct. 19—Review of certain decisions Section 19 of the Commonwealth Act provides that an application may be made to the Administrative Review Tribunal for review of a reviewable State decision within the meaning of that section. Part 12 of this Act provides that a person may apply for review of a reviewable decision under this Act to the Tribunal. 20—Things done for multiple purposes The validity of a licence, certificate or other thing issued, given or done for the purposes of this Act is not affected only because it was issued, given or done also for the purposes of the Commonwealth Act.

Subdiv 2

Policy principles, policy guidelines and codes of practice

Subdivision 2—Policy principles, policy guidelines and codes of practice 21—Ministerial Council may issue policy principles (1) The Ministerial Council may issue policy principles in relation to the following: (a) ethical issues relating to dealings with GMOs; (aa) recognising areas, if any, designated under a law of South Australia for the purpose of preserving the identity of one or both of the following: (i) GM crops; (ii) non-GM crops, for marketing purposes; (b) matters relating to dealings with GMOs prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph. Section 57 provides that the Regulator must not issue a licence if to do so would be inconsistent with a policy principle. (2) Before issuing a policy principle, the Ministerial Council must be satisfied that the policy principle was developed in accordance with section 22 of the Commonwealth Act. (3) Regulations for the purposes of subsection (1)(b) may relate to matters other than the health and safety of people or the environment, but must not derogate from the health and safety of people or the environment. This section differs from section 21 of the Commonwealth Act. 22—Consultation on policy principles The Commonwealth Act includes a provision about how policy principles are to be developed. 23—Ministerial Council may issue policy guidelines The Ministerial Council may issue policy guidelines in relation to matters relevant to the functions of the Regulator under this Act or the regulations. Section 56 requires the Regulator to have regard to policy guidelines when deciding an application for a GMO licence. Section 30 provides that the Regulator is not subject to direction in relation to individual decisions. 24—Ministerial Council may issue codes of practice The Ministerial Council may issue codes of practice, developed in accordance with section 24(2) of the Commonwealth Act, in relation to gene technology. Section 24 of the Commonwealth Act includes provisions about how codes of practice are to be developed and making them disallowable instruments.

Part 3

The Gene Technology Regulator

Part 3—The Gene Technology Regulator 25—Simplified outline In outline, this Part specifies the functions and powers of the Gene Technology Regulator under this Act or the regulations. This section differs from section 25 of the Commonwealth Act. 26—The Gene Technology Regulator Section 26 of the Commonwealth Act creates the office of Gene Technology Regulator. 27—Functions of the Regulator The Regulator has the following functions: (a) to perform functions in relation to GMO licences as set out in Part 5; (b) to develop draft policy principles and policy guidelines, as requested by the Ministerial Council; (c) to develop codes of practice; (d) to issue technical and procedural guidelines in relation to GMOs; (e) to provide information and advice to other regulatory agencies about GMOs and GM products; (f) to provide information and advice to the public about the regulation of GMOs; (g) to provide advice to the Ministerial Council about— (i) the operations of the Regulator and the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee; and (ii) the effectiveness of the legislative framework for the regulation of GMOs, including in relation to possible amendments of relevant legislation; (h) to undertake or commission research in relation to risk assessment and the biosafety of GMOs; (i) to promote the harmonisation of risk assessments relating to GMOs and GM products by regulatory agencies; (j) to monitor international practice in relation to the regulation of GMOs; (k) to maintain links with international organisations that deal with the regulation of gene technology and with agencies that regulate GMOs in places outside South Australia; (l) such other functions as are conferred on the Regulator by this Act, the regulations or any other law. 28—Powers of the Regulator Subject to this Act, the Regulator has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of the Regulator's functions under this Act or the regulations. 29—Delegation (1) The Regulator may, by instrument in writing, delegate any of the Regulator's powers or functions under this Act or the regulations to any of the following: (a) a Public Service employee; (b) an officer or employee of a State agency, if the functions of the State agency relate, whether directly or indirectly, to GMOs or GM products; (c) an employee of a Commonwealth authority, if the functions of the Commonwealth authority relate, whether directly or indirectly, to GMOs or GM products. (2) A delegation may be made to— (a) a specified officer or employee; or (b) an officer or employee holding a specified office or position. (3) In exercising powers or performing functions under a delegation, the delegate must comply with any directions of the Regulator. (4) A delegation is revocable at will and does not derogate from the power of the Regulator to act in a matter. This section differs from section 29 of the Commonwealth Act. 30—Independence of the Regulator Subject to this Act and to other laws of the State of South Australia, the Regulator has discretion in the performance or exercise of his or her functions or powers under this Act or the regulations. In particular, the Regulator is not subject to direction from anyone in relation to— (a) whether a GMO licence is issued or refused in relation to a particular application; or (b) the conditions to which a particular GMO licence is subject.

Part 4

Regulations of dealings with GMOs

Part 4—Regulations of dealings with GMOs 31—Simplified outline (a) deals with the regulation of dealings with GMOs; (b) prohibits dealings with GMOs unless— (i) the person undertaking the dealing is authorised to do so by a GMO licence; or (ia) the dealing is specified in an emergency dealing determination; or (ii) the dealing is a notifiable low risk dealing (see Division 2 of Part 6); or (iii) the dealing is an exempt dealing; or (iv) the dealing is included in the GMO Register (see Division 3 of Part 6); (c) imposes heavier penalties on unlawful dealings that cause, or are likely to cause, significant damage to the health and safety of people or to the environment. Division 2—Dealings with GMOs must be licensed 32—Person not to deal with a GMO without a licence (b) the dealing with the GMO by the person is not authorised by a GMO licence, and the person knows or is reckless as to that fact; and (c) the dealing with the GMO is not specified in an emergency dealing determination, and the person knows or is reckless as to that fact; and (d) the dealing is not a notifiable low risk dealing, and the person knows or is reckless as to that fact; and (e) the dealing is not an exempt dealing, and the person knows or is reckless as to that fact; and (f) the dealing is not included on the GMO Register, and the person knows or is reckless as to that fact. (2) An offence under subsection (1) is punishable by whichever of the following applies: (a) in the case of an aggravated offence—imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $220 000; or (b) in any other case—imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $55 000. exempt dealing means a dealing specified by the regulations to be an exempt dealing. (4) Regulations under subsection (3) may be expressed to exempt— (c) one or more specified dealings with a GMO or with a specified class of GMOs. This section differs from section 32 of the Commonwealth Act. 33—Person not to deal with a GMO without a licence—strict liability offence (b) the dealing with the GMO by the person is not authorised by a GMO licence; and (ba) the dealing with the GMO is not specified in an emergency dealing determination; and (c) the dealing is not a notifiable low risk dealing; and (d) the dealing is not an exempt dealing; and (e) the dealing is not included on the GMO Register. (2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(b), (ba), (c), (d) and (e). (3) An offence under this section is punishable by a fine of not more than whichever of the following amounts applies: (a) in the case of an aggravated offence—$22 000; or (b) in any other case—$5 500. exempt dealing has the same meaning as in section 32. This section differs from section 33 of the Commonwealth Act. 34—Person must not breach conditions of a GMO licence (1) The holder of a GMO licence is guilty of an offence if— (a) the holder intentionally takes an action or omits to take an action; and (b) the action or omission contravenes the licence, and the holder knows or is reckless as to that fact. (2) A person covered by a GMO licence is guilty of an offence if— (a) the person intentionally takes an action or omits to take an action; and (b) the person has knowledge of the conditions of the licence; and (c) the action or omission contravenes a condition of the licence, and the person knows or is reckless as to that fact. (3) An offence under subsection (1) or (2) is punishable by whichever of the following applies: (a) in the case of an aggravated offence—imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $220 000 plus an additional fine not exceeding $22 000 for every day during which the offence continues; (b) in any other case—imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $55 000 plus an additional fine not exceeding $5 500 for every day during which the offence continues. This section differs from section 34 of the Commonwealth Act. 35—Person must not breach conditions of a GMO licence—strict liability offence (1) The holder of a GMO licence is guilty of an offence if the holder— (a) takes an action or omits to take an action; and (b) the action or omission contravenes the licence. (2) A person covered by a GMO licence is guilty of an offence if— (a) the person takes an action or omits to take an action; and (b) the action or omission contravenes the licence; and (c) the person has knowledge of the conditions of the licence. (3) Strict liability applies to subsections (1)(a)and (b) and (2)(a) and (b). (4) An offence under this section is punishable by a fine of not more than whichever of the following amounts applies: (a) in the case of an aggravated offence—$22 000; or (b) in any other case—$5 500. 35A—Person must not breach conditions of emergency dealing determination (a) the person intentionally takes an action or omits to take an action; and (b) the person has knowledge of the conditions to which an emergency dealing determination is subject; and (c) the action or omission contravenes such a condition, and the person knows or is reckless as to that fact. (2) An offence under this section is punishable on conviction by whichever of the following applies: (a) in the case of an aggravated offence—imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $220 000; (b) in any other case—imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $55 000.

Section 38 defines aggravated offence.

1 Section 38 defines aggravated offence.

This section differs from section 35A of the Commonwealth Act.

2 This section differs from section 35A of the Commonwealth Act. 35B—Person must not breach conditions of emergency dealing determination—strict liability offence (a) the person takes an action or omits to take an action; and (b) the person has knowledge of the conditions to which an emergency dealing determination is subject; and (c) the action or omission by the person contravenes such a condition. (2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(a) and (c). (3) An offence under this section is punishable on conviction by a fine of not more than whichever of the following amounts applies: (a) in the case of an aggravated offence—$22 000; (b) in any other case—$5 500. 1 Section 38 defines aggravated offence. 2 This section differs from section 35B of the Commonwealth Act. 36—Person must not breach conditions on GMO Register (1) A person is guilty of an offence if the person— (a) deals with a GMO, knowing that it is a GMO; and (b) the dealing is on the GMO Register; and (c) the dealing contravenes a condition relating to the dealing that is specified in the GMO Register. (2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(b) and (c). (3) An offence against subsection (1) is punishable by a fine of not more than $5 500. 37—Offence relating to notifiable low risk dealings (b) the dealing is a notifiable low risk dealing; and (c) the dealing by the person was not undertaken in accordance with the regulations. Notifiable low risk dealings are specified in the regulations—see Part 6. (2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(b) and (c). (3) An offence against subsection (1) is punishable by a fine of not more than $5 500. 38—Aggravated offences—significant damage to health or safety of people or to the environment (1) An offence is an aggravated offence if the commission of the offence causes significant damage, or is likely to cause significant damage, to the health and safety of people or to the environment. (2) In order to prove an aggravated offence, the prosecution must prove that the person who committed the offence— (a) intended their conduct to cause significant damage to the health and safety of people or to the environment; or (b) was reckless as to whether that conduct would cause significant damage to the health and safety of people or to the environment.

Part 5

Licensing system

Part 5—Licensing system 39—Simplified outline (a) provides a licensing system under which a person can apply to the Regulator for a licence authorising dealings with GMOs; (b) sets out the processes to be followed by the Regulator in relation to applications involving two kinds of dealings— (i) those that involve the intentional release of a GMO into the environment; and (ii) those that do not involve the intentional release of a GMO into the environment; (c) provides that a licence can cover dealings by persons other than the licence holder and requires the licence holder to inform such persons of any conditions of the licence that apply to them. Division 2—Licence applications 40—Person may apply for a licence (1) A person may apply to the Regulator for a licence authorising specified dealings with one or more specified GMOs by a person or persons. (2) The application must be in writing, and must contain— (3) The application must specify whether any of the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence would involve the intentional release of a GMO into the environment. (4) The dealings in respect of which a person may apply for a licence may be— (a) all dealings with a GMO, or with a specified class of GMOs; or (b) a specified class of dealings with a GMO, or with a specified class of GMOs; or (c) one or more specified dealings with a GMO, or with a specified class of GMOs. (5) The applicant may apply for a licence authorising such dealings by— (a) a specified person or persons; or (b) a specified class of person; or (c) all persons. (6) The application must be accompanied by the application fee (if any) prescribed by the regulations. 40A—Licences relating to inadvertent dealings (1) If the Regulator is satisfied that a person has come into possession of a GMO inadvertently, the Regulator may, with the agreement of the person, treat the person as having made an inadvertent dealings application. (2) To avoid doubt, subsection (1) does not prevent a person from making an application under section 40 in respect of a GMO that has inadvertently come into the person's possession. Sections 46A and 49 have the effect that the Regulator may expedite consideration of an application to dispose of a GMO that has come into a person's possession inadvertently. These sections have effect whether the application is made under section 40, or is taken to have been made under this section. 41—Application may be withdrawn (1) The applicant may withdraw the application at any time before the licence is issued. (2) The application fee is not refundable if the applicant withdraws the application. 42—Regulator may require applicant to give further information (1) The Regulator may, by notice in writing, require an applicant for a licence to give the Regulator such further information in relation to the application as the Regulator requires. (3) The Regulator may require information to be given under this section at any time before the Regulator decides the application, whether before or after the Regulator has begun to consider the application. 43—Regulator must consider applications except in certain circumstances (1) The Regulator must consider an application under this Division for a licence in accordance with this Part. (2) However, the Regulator is not required to consider the application, or may cease considering the application, if— (a) the application does not contain the information specified by the Regulator or prescribed by the regulations; or (b) the application does not satisfy section 40(3); or (c) the application is not accompanied by the application fee (if any) prescribed by the regulations; or (d) the applicant did not provide further information required by the Regulator by notice under section 42 within the period specified in the notice; or (e) the Regulator is satisfied that to issue the licence would be inconsistent with a policy principle in force under section 21; or (f) the Regulator is satisfied (having regard to the matters specified in section 58) that the applicant is not a suitable person to hold a licence. (3) The Regulator must issue the licence, or refuse to issue the licence, within the period (if any) prescribed by the regulations. 44—Regulator may consult with applicant Before considering an application in accordance with the requirements of this Part, the Regulator may consult the applicant, or another regulatory agency, on any aspect of the application. 45—Regulator must not use certain information in considering licence application If— (a) a person (the first person) applies for a GMO licence; and (b) the first person provides information to the Regulator for the purposes of the Regulator's consideration of the application; and (c) the information is confidential commercial information, the Regulator must not take that information into account for the purposes of considering an application by another person for a GMO licence, unless the first person has given written consent for the information to be so taken into account. Division 3—Initial consideration of licences for dealings not involving intentional release of a GMO into the environment 46—Applications to which this Division applies This Division applies to an application for a GMO licence if the Regulator is satisfied that none of the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence would involve the intentional release of a GMO into the environment. 46A—Division does not apply to an application relating to inadvertent dealings Despite section 46, this Division does not apply to an application for a GMO licence if the Regulator is satisfied that— (a) the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence are limited to 1 or more of the following for purposes relating to disposing of a GMO: (i) conducting experiments with the GMO; (ii) propagating the GMO; (iii) growing, raising or culturing the GMO; (iv) transporting the GMO; (v) any other dealings to be undertaken for the purposes of, or for purposes relating to, disposing of the GMO; and (b) the applicant for the licence came into possession of the GMO inadvertently. 47—What the Regulator must do in relation to application (1) Before issuing the licence, the Regulator must prepare a risk assessment and a risk management plan in relation to the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence. (2) In preparing the risk assessment, the Regulator must take into account the risks posed by the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence, including any risks to the health and safety of people or risks to the environment. (3) In preparing the risk management plan, the Regulator must take into account the means of managing any risks posed by the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence in such a way as to protect— (4) The Regulator may consult— (c) relevant Commonwealth authorities or agencies; and (d) any local council that the Regulator considers appropriate; and (e) any other person the Regulator considers appropriate, on any aspect of the application. Division 4—Initial consideration of licences for dealings involving intentional release of a GMO into the environment 48—Applications to which this Division applies This Division applies to an application for a GMO licence if the Regulator is satisfied that at least one of the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence would involve the intentional release of a GMO into the environment. 49—Division does not apply to an application relating to inadvertent dealings Despite section 48, this Division does not apply to an application for a GMO licence if the Regulator is satisfied that— (a) the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence are limited to 1 or more of the following for purposes relating to disposing of a GMO: (i) conducting experiments with the GMO; (ii) propagating the GMO; (iii) growing, raising or culturing the GMO; (iv) transporting the GMO; (v) any other dealings to be undertaken for the purposes of, or for purposes relating to, disposing of the GMO; and (b) the applicant for the licence came into possession of the GMO inadvertently. 50—Regulator must prepare risk assessment and risk management plan (1) Before issuing the licence, the Regulator must prepare a risk assessment and a risk management plan in relation to the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence. (3) Unless section 50A applies in relation to the application for the licence, the Regulator must seek advice on matters relevant to the preparation of the risk assessment and the risk management plan from— (c) each Commonwealth authority or agency prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph; and (d) Environment Australia; and (e) any local council that the Regulator considers appropriate. 50A—Limited and controlled release applications (1) This section applies to an application for a licence if the Regulator is satisfied that— (a) the principal purpose of the application is to enable the licence holder, and persons covered by the licence, to conduct experiments; and (b) the application proposes, in relation to any GMO in respect of which dealings are proposed to be authorised— (i) controls to restrict the dissemination or persistence of the GMO and its genetic material in the environment; and (ii) limits on the proposed release of the GMO; and (c) the Regulator is satisfied that the controls and limits are of such a kind that it is appropriate for the Regulator not to seek the advice referred to in section 50(3). (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)— controls, in relation to restricting the dissemination or persistence of a GMO and its genetic material in the environment, include the following: (a) specified methods for disposal of the GMO or its genetic material; (b) data collection requirements, including studies to be conducted about the GMO or its genetic material; (c) a restricted geographic area in which the proposed dealings with the GMO or its genetic material may occur; (d) compliance, in relation to dealings with the GMO or its genetic material, with— (i) a code of practice issued under section 24; or (ii) a technical or procedural guideline issued under section 27. (3) For the purposes of subsection (1)— limits, in relation to the release of a GMO that is proposed to be authorised by a licence, includes limits on any of the following: (a) the scope of the dealings with the GMO; (b) the scale of the dealings with the GMO; (c) the locations of the dealings with the GMO; (d) the duration of the dealings with the GMO; (e) the persons who are to be permitted to conduct the dealings with the GMO. (4) In deciding whether the principal purpose of an application is to enable the licence holder, and persons covered by the licence, to conduct experiments, the Regulator— (a) must have regard to whether the applicant proposes that any or all of the following be authorised by, and done under, the licence: (i) testing hypotheses; (ii) gaining scientific or technical knowledge; (iii) gaining data for regulatory purposes, or for product development or marketing; and (b) may have regard to any other matter that the Regulator considers to be relevant. This section differs from section 50A of the Commonwealth Act. 51—Matters Regulator must take into account in preparing risk assessment and risk management plan (1) In preparing the risk assessment in relation to the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence, the Regulator must take into account the following: (a) the risks posed by those dealings, including any risks to the health and safety of people or risks to the environment, having regard to the matters prescribed by the regulations; (c) any advice in relation to the risk assessment provided by a State or a local council in response to a request under section 50(3); (d) any advice in relation to the risk assessment provided by the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee in response to a request under section 50(3); (e) any advice in relation to the risk assessment provided by a Commonwealth authority or agency in response to a request under section 50(3); (f) any advice in relation to the risk assessment provided by Environment Australia in response to a request under section 50(3); (g) any other matter prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph. (2) In preparing the risk management plan, the Regulator must take into account the following: (a) the means of managing any risks posed by those dealings in such a way as to protect— (i) the health and safety of people; and (ii) the environment; (c) any advice in relation to the risk management plan provided by a State or a local council in response to a request under section 50(3); (d) any advice in relation to the risk management plan provided by the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee in response to a request under section 50(3); (e) any advice in relation to the risk management plan provided by a Commonwealth authority or agency in response to a request under section 50(3); (f) any advice in relation to the risk management plan provided by Environment Australia in response to a request under section 50(3); (g) any other matter prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph. (3) For the avoidance of doubt, in taking into account the means of managing risks as mentioned in subsection (2)(a), the Regulator— (a) is not limited to considering submissions or advice mentioned in subsection (2)(b), (c), (d), (e) and (f); and (b) subject to section 45, may take into account other information, including, but not limited to, relevant independent research. 52—Public notification of risk assessment and risk management plan (1) After taking the steps referred to in sections 50 and 51, the Regulator must publish a notice— (a) in the Gazette; and (b) in 1 or more newspapers that the Regulator considers appropriate, having regard to the geographic area in which the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence may occur; and (c) on the Regulator's website. (2) The notice must— (a) state that a risk assessment and a risk management plan have been prepared in respect of dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence; and (b) state that a person may request further information about the risk assessment and the risk management plan under section 54; and (ba) if the Regulator is satisfied that 1 or more dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence may pose a significant risk to the health and safety of people or to the environment—state that the Regulator is so satisfied; and (c) invite written submissions in relation to the risk assessment and the risk management plan; and (d) specify the closing date for submissions, which must not be earlier than— (i) if the notice states that the Regulator is satisfied that the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence may pose a significant risk to the health and safety of people or to the environment—50 days after the date on which the notice was published; or (ii) in any other case—30 days after the date on which the notice was published. (3) The Regulator must also seek advice on the risk assessment and the risk management plan from— (c) each Commonwealth authority or agency prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph; and (d) Environment Australia; and (e) any local council that the Regulator considers appropriate. 53—Regulator may take other actions (1) In addition to satisfying the requirements of this Division in relation to an application for a licence to which this Division applies, the Regulator may take any other action the Regulator considers appropriate for the purpose of deciding the application, including holding a public hearing. (2) If the Regulator holds a public hearing, the Regulator may, having regard to the requirements of this Act in relation to confidential commercial information, direct that any part of the hearing be held in private, and may determine who can attend. (3) The Regulator may give directions prohibiting or restricting the publication of evidence given, or material contained in documents produced, at a public hearing. (4) A person must not contravene a direction given under subsection (3). Maximum penalty: $3 300. 54—Person may request copies of certain documents (1) A person may request that the Regulator provide the person with a copy of the following documents: (a) an application to which this Division applies; (b) a risk assessment or a risk management plan prepared under section 50. (2) If a person makes a request under subsection (1), the Regulator must provide to the person a copy of the documents, other than— (a) any confidential commercial information contained in the documents; and (b) any information contained in the documents about relevant convictions (within the meaning of section 58) of the applicant for the licence. In order for information to be confidential commercial information, it must be covered by a declaration under section 185.

Div 5

Decision on licence etc

Division 5—Decision on licence etc 55—Regulator must make a decision on licence and licence conditions After taking any steps required by Division 3 or 4 in relation to an application for a GMO licence, the Regulator— (a) must decide whether to issue or refuse to issue the licence; and (b) if the Regulator decides to issue the licence—may impose conditions to which the licence is subject. 56—Regulator must not issue the licence unless satisfied as to risk management (1) The Regulator must not issue the licence unless the Regulator is satisfied that any risks posed by the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence are able to be managed in such a way as to protect— (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Regulator must have regard to the following: (a) the risk assessment prepared under section 47 or 50 in relation to the dealings; (b) the risk management plan prepared under section 47 or 50 in relation to the dealings; (c) any submissions received under section 52 in relation to the licence; (d) any policy guidelines in force under section 23 that relate to— (i) risks that may be posed by the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence; or (ii) ways of managing such risks so as to protect the health and safety of people or to protect the environment. Paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of subsection (2) do not apply to an inadvertent dealings application. 57—Other circumstances in which Regulator must not issue the licence (1) The Regulator must not issue the licence if the Regulator is satisfied that issuing the licence would be inconsistent with a policy principle in force under section 21. (2) The Regulator must not issue the licence unless the Regulator is satisfied that the applicant is a suitable person to hold the licence. (3) Subsection (2) does not apply to an inadvertent dealings application. 58—Matters to be taken into account in deciding whether a person is suitable to hold a licence (1) Without limiting the matters to which the Regulator may have regard in deciding whether a natural person is a suitable person to hold a licence, the Regulator must have regard to— (a) any relevant conviction of the person; and (b) any revocation or suspension of a licence or permit (however described) held by the person under a law of South Australia, the Commonwealth, another State or a foreign country, being a law relating to the health and safety of people or the environment; and (c) the capacity of the person to meet the conditions of the licence. (2) Without limiting the matters to which the Regulator may have regard in deciding whether a body corporate is a suitable person to hold a licence, the Regulator must have regard to the following: (a) any relevant conviction of the body corporate; and (b) if there is a relevant conviction of the body corporate— (i) whether the offence concerned was committed at a time when any person who is presently a director of the body corporate was a director; and (ii) whether that offence was committed at a time when any officer or shareholder of the body corporate who is presently in a position to influence the management of the body corporate was such an officer or shareholder; and (c) any revocation or suspension of a licence or permit (however described) held by the body corporate under a law of South Australia, the Commonwealth, another State or a foreign country, being a law relating to the health and safety of people or the environment; and (d) the capacity of the body corporate to meet the conditions of the licence. relevant conviction means a conviction for an offence against a law of South Australia, the Commonwealth, another State or a foreign country, being a law relating to the health and safety of people or the environment, if— (a) the offence was committed within the period of 10 years immediately before the making of the application for the licence; and (b) the offence was punishable by a fine of $5 000 or more, or by a term of imprisonment of one year or more. This section differs from section 58 of the Commonwealth Act. 59—Notification of licence decision The Regulator must notify the applicant in writing of the Regulator's decision (including any conditions imposed by the Regulator, if applicable). 60—Period of licence (1) A licence continues in force— (a) if the licence is expressed to be in force for a particular period—until the end of that period; or (b) otherwise—until it is cancelled or surrendered. (2) A licence is not in force throughout any period of suspension. (3) A licence issued as a result of an inadvertent dealings application must not be expressed to be in force for a period of longer than 12 months.

Div 6

Conditions of licences

Division 6—Conditions of licences 61—Licence is subject to conditions A GMO licence is subject to the following conditions: (a) the conditions set out in sections 63, 64 and 65; (b) any conditions prescribed by the regulations; (c) any conditions imposed by the Regulator at the time of issuing the licence; (d) any conditions imposed by the Regulator under section 71 after the licence is issued. 62—Conditions that may be prescribed or imposed (1) Licence conditions may include conditions that impose obligations in relation to GM products that are derived from a GMO in respect of which particular dealings are licensed. (2) Licence conditions may relate to, but are not limited to, the following: (a) the scope of the dealings authorised by the licence; (b) the purposes for which the dealings may be undertaken; (c) variations to the scope or purposes of the dealings; (d) documentation and record-keeping requirements; (e) the required level of containment in respect of the dealings, including requirements relating to the certification of facilities to specified containment levels; (f) waste disposal requirements; (g) measures to manage risks posed to the health and safety of people, or to the environment; (h) data collection, including studies to be conducted; (i) auditing and reporting; (j) actions to be taken in case of the release of a GMO from a contained environment; (k) the geographic area in which the dealings authorised by the licence may occur; (l) requiring compliance with a code of practice issued under section 24, or a technical or procedural guideline issued under section 27; (m) supervision by, and monitoring by, Institutional Biosafety Committees; (n) contingency planning in respect of unintended effects of the dealings authorised by the licence; (o) limiting the dissemination or persistence of the GMO or its genetic material in the environment. (3) Licence conditions may also include conditions requiring the licence holder to be adequately insured against any loss, damage or injury that may be caused to human health, property or the environment by the licensed dealing. 63—Condition about informing people of obligations (1) It is a condition of a licence that the licence holder inform any person covered by the licence, to whom a particular condition of the licence applies, of the following: (a) the particular condition, including any variations of it; (b) the cancellation or suspension of the licence; (c) the surrender of the licence. (2) Requirements in relation to the manner in which information is provided under subsection (1) may be— (a) prescribed by the regulations; or (b) specified by the Regulator. (3) Such requirements may include, but are not limited to, measures relating to labelling, packaging, conducting training and providing information. (4) If such requirements are prescribed or specified, it is a condition of a licence that the licence holder comply with the requirements. 64—Condition about monitoring and audits (1) It is a condition of a licence that if— (a) a person is authorised by the licence to deal with a GMO; and (b) a particular condition of the licence applies to the dealing by the person, the person must allow the Regulator, or a person authorised by the Regulator, to enter premises where the dealing is being undertaken, for the purposes of auditing or monitoring the dealing. (2) Subsection (1) does not limit the conditions that may be imposed by the Regulator or prescribed by the regulations. 65—Condition about additional information to be given to the Regulator (1) It is a condition of a licence that the licence holder inform the Regulator if the licence holder— (a) becomes aware of additional information as to any risks to the health and safety of people, or to the environment, associated with the dealings authorised by the licence; or (b) becomes aware of any contraventions of the licence by a person covered by the licence; or (c) becomes aware of any unintended effects of the dealings authorised by the licence. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)— (a) the licence holder is taken to have become aware of additional information of a kind mentioned in subsection (1) if the licence holder was reckless as to whether such information existed; and (b) the licence holder is taken to have become aware of contraventions, or unintended effects, of a kind mentioned in subsection (1) if the licence holder was reckless as to whether such contraventions had occurred, or such unintended effects existed. 66—Person may give information to Regulator A person covered by a licence may inform the Regulator if the person— (a) becomes aware of additional information as to any risks to the health and safety of people, or to the environment, associated with the dealings authorised by the licence; or (b) becomes aware of any contraventions of the licence by a person covered by the licence; or (c) becomes aware of any unintended effects of the dealings authorised by the licence. 67—Protection of persons who give information A person (the first person) does not incur any civil liability in respect of loss, damage or injury of any kind suffered by another person because the first person gave information to the Regulator under section 65, 66 or 72D(2)(h).

Div 7

Suspension, cancellation and variation of licences

Division 7—Suspension, cancellation and variation of licences 68—Suspension and cancellation of licence The Regulator may, by notice in writing given to the holder of a GMO licence, suspend or cancel the licence if— (a) the Regulator believes on reasonable grounds that a condition of the licence has been breached, whether by the licence holder or by a person covered by the licence; or (b) the Regulator believes on reasonable grounds that the licence holder, or a person covered by the licence, has committed an offence against this Act or the regulations; or (c) any annual charge payable in respect of the licence remains unpaid after the due date; or (d) the licence was obtained improperly; or (e) the Regulator becomes aware of risks associated with the continuation of the dealings authorised by the licence, and is satisfied that the licence holder has not proposed, or is not in a position to implement, adequate measures to deal with those risks; or (f) the Regulator is satisfied that the licence holder is no longer a suitable person to hold the licence. 69—Surrender of licence A licence holder may, with the consent of the Regulator, surrender the licence. 70—Transfer of licences (1) The licence holder and another person (the transferee) may jointly apply to the Regulator for the licence to be transferred from the licence holder to the transferee. (2) The application must be in writing, and must contain— (3) The Regulator must not transfer the licence unless the Regulator is satisfied that, if the licence is transferred, any risks posed by the dealings authorised by the licence will continue to be able to be managed in such a way as to protect— (4) The Regulator must not transfer the licence unless the Regulator is satisfied that the transferee is a suitable person to hold the licence. (5) The Regulator must give written notice of his or her decision on the application to the licence holder and the transferee. (6) If the Regulator decides to transfer the licence— (a) the transfer takes effect on the date specified in the notice; and (b) the licence continues in force as mentioned in section 60; and (c) the licence is subject to the same conditions as those in force immediately before the transfer. 71—Variation of licence (1) The Regulator may vary a licence, by notice in writing given to the licence holder— (a) at any time, on the Regulator's own initiative; or (b) on application by the licence holder. (1A) An application for a variation must be in writing and must contain— (2) The Regulator must not vary a licence to authorise dealings involving the intentional release of a GMO into the environment if the application for the licence was originally considered under Division 3. Applications can only be considered under Division 3 if none of the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence would involve the intentional release of a GMO into the environment. (2A) The Regulator must not vary a licence if the original application for the licence was an application to which section 50A applied, unless— (a) the Regulator is satisfied that the principal purpose of the licence as proposed to be varied is to enable the licence holder, and persons covered by the licence, to conduct experiments; and (b) the application for variation proposes, in relation to any GMO in respect of which dealings are proposed to be authorised as a result of the variation— (i) controls to restrict the dissemination or persistence of the GMO and its genetic material in the environment; and (ii) limits on the proposed release of the GMO; and (c) the Regulator is satisfied that the controls and limits are of such a kind that it is appropriate for the Regulator not to seek the advice referred to in section 50(3). Section 50A applies to an application that proposes controls and limits on the dissemination, persistence and release of the GMO concerned and is for the purpose of conducting experiments. (2B) If an application has been made for variation of a licence, the Regulator must not vary the licence unless the Regulator is satisfied that the risks posed by the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence as varied are covered by— (a) the risk assessment and the risk management plan in respect of the original application for the licence; or (b) the risk assessment and the risk management plan in respect of an application for another licence, but only if that other licence was issued. (3) Without limiting subsection (1), the Regulator may— (a) impose licence conditions or additional licence conditions; or (b) remove or vary licence conditions that were imposed by the Regulator; or (c) extend or reduce the authority granted by the licence. (4) The Regulator must not vary a licence unless the Regulator is satisfied that any risks posed by the dealings proposed to be authorised by the licence as varied are able to be managed in such a way as to protect— (5) The Regulator must not vary a licence unless any local council that the Regulator considers appropriate has been consulted on the proposed variation. (6) The Regulator must not vary a licence in the circumstances (if any) prescribed by the regulations. (7) If an application has been made for variation of a licence, the Regulator must vary the licence, or refuse to vary the licence, within the period (if any) prescribed by the regulations. (8) For the purposes of subsection (2A)— controls has the same meaning as in section 50A(2); limits has the same meaning as in section 50A(3). 72—Regulator to notify of proposed suspension, cancellation or variation (1) Before suspending, cancelling or varying a licence under this Division, the Regulator must give written notice of the proposed suspension, cancellation or variation to the licence holder. (a) must state that the Regulator proposes to suspend, cancel or vary the licence; and (b) may require the licence holder to give to the Regulator any information of a kind specified in the notice that is relevant to the proposed suspension, cancellation or variation; and (c) may invite the licence holder to make a written submission to the Regulator about the proposed suspension, cancellation or variation. (3) The notice must specify a period within which the licence holder— (4) In considering whether to suspend, cancel or vary a licence, the Regulator must have regard to any submission made under subsection (2)(c). (5) This section does not apply to a suspension, cancellation or variation requested by the licence holder. (6) This section does not apply to a suspension, cancellation or variation of a licence if the Regulator considers that the suspension, cancellation or variation is necessary in order to avoid an imminent risk of death, serious illness, serious injury or serious damage to the environment. (7) This section does not apply to a variation of a licence if the Regulator is satisfied that the variation is of minor significance or complexity.

Div 8

Annual charge

Division 8—Annual charge 72AA—GMO licence—annual charge (1) A person who is the holder of a GMO licence at any time during a financial year is liable to pay a charge for the licence in respect of that year. (2) The amount of the charge for a financial year is such amount as is prescribed by the regulations. (3) The amount of the charge prescribed for a financial year may be in the nature of a tax and not be related to the cost of providing any service. This section does not appear in the Commonwealth Act. Provision is included, however, in the Gene Technology (Licence Charges) Act 2000 of the Commonwealth for the imposition of an annual charge for a GMO licence.

Part 5A

Emergency dealing determinations

Part 5A—Emergency dealing determinations 72A—Simplified outline In outline, this Part provides a system under which the Minister can make determinations relating to dealings with GMOs in emergencies. This section differs from section 72A of the Commonwealth Act. Division 2—Making of emergency dealing determination 72B—Minister may make emergency dealing determination (1) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette (an emergency dealing determination), specify dealings with a GMO for the purposes of this Part. (2) The Minister may make an emergency dealing determination only if the Minister administering section 72B of the Commonwealth Act has made, or is proposing to make, a corresponding Commonwealth emergency dealing determination. Section 72B of the Commonwealth Act includes a subsection (3) dealing with threats of a kind mentioned in subsection (2) of that section. (3) The dealings in respect of which the Minister may make an emergency dealing determination may be— (c) 1 or more specified dealings with a GMO or with a specified class of GMOs. This section differs from section 72B of the Commonwealth Act. 72C—Period of effect of emergency dealing determination (1) An emergency dealing determination takes effect— (a) on the day on which the emergency dealing determination is made; or (b) on a later day that is specified in the emergency dealing determination. (2) An emergency dealing determination ceases to have effect— (a) subject to subsection (3), at the end of the period of 6 months starting when the emergency dealing determination takes effect; or (b) at the end of the period specified by the Minister in the emergency dealing determination; or (c) when the emergency dealing determination is revoked, whichever occurs first. (3) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, extend the period of effect of an emergency dealing determination. (4) The Minister may extend the period of effect of an emergency dealing determination under subsection (3) more than once, but each single such extension must not exceed 6 months. (5) The Minister may extend the period of effect of an emergency dealing determination only if the Minister administering section 72C of the Commonwealth Act has under that section extended, or is proposing to extend under that section, the period of effect of the corresponding Commonwealth emergency dealing determination. (6) An order extending the period of effect of an emergency dealing determination takes effect at the time when the determination would have ceased to have effect but for the extension. This section differs from section 72C of the Commonwealth Act. Division 3—Effect and conditions of emergency dealing determination 72D—Emergency dealing determination authorises dealings, subject to conditions (1) If an emergency dealing determination is in force in respect of dealings with a GMO, those dealings are authorised, subject to the conditions (if any) specified in the emergency dealing determination. (2) Conditions may relate to, but are not limited to, the following: (a) the quantity of GMO in relation to which dealings are covered; (b) the scope of the dealings covered; (c) the purposes for which the dealings may be undertaken; (d) variations to the scope or purposes of the dealings; (e) the source of the GMO; (f) the persons who may deal with the GMO; (g) the information that is required to be given by a person and the person to whom that information is to be given; (h) obligations about informing the Regulator if— (i) a person becomes aware of additional information as to any risks to the health and safety of people, or to the environment, associated with the dealings specified in the emergency dealing determination; or (ii) a person becomes aware of any contraventions of the conditions to which the emergency dealing determination is subject by any person; or (iii) a person becomes aware of any unintended effects of the dealings specified in the emergency dealing determination; (i) the storage and security of the GMO; (j) the required level of containment in respect of the dealings, including requirements relating to the certification of facilities to specified containment levels; (k) waste disposal requirements; (l) the manner in which any quantity of the GMO is to be dealt with if a condition of the emergency dealing determination is breached; (m) measures to manage risks posed to the health and safety of people, or to the environment; (n) data collection, including studies to be conducted; (o) auditing and reporting; (p) the keeping and disclosure of, and access to, records about the GMO; (q) actions to be taken in case of the release of the GMO from a contained environment; (r) the geographic area in which the dealings specified in the emergency dealing determination may occur; (s) requirements for compliance with a code of practice issued under section 24, or a technical or procedural guideline issued under section 27; (t) supervision by, and monitoring by, Institutional Biosafety Committees; (u) contingency planning in respect of unintended effects of the dealings specified in the emergency dealing determination; (v) limiting the dissemination or persistence of the GMO or its genetic material in the environment; (w) any other matters that the Minister thinks appropriate. (3) A condition under subsection (2)(f) may permit dealings with a GMO by, or may impose obligations on— (a) a specified person or persons; or (b) a specified class of person. (4) It is a condition of an emergency dealing determination that if— (a) a dealing with a GMO is specified in the emergency dealing determination; and (b) a particular condition of the emergency dealing determination applies to the dealing by a person, the person must allow the Regulator, or a person authorised by the Regulator, to enter premises where the dealing is being undertaken, for the purposes of auditing or monitoring the dealing. (5) Subsection (4) does not limit the conditions that may be specified in an emergency dealing determination. Division 4—Variation, suspension and revocation of emergency dealing determination 72E—Variation, suspension and revocation of emergency dealing determination (1) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, vary the conditions to which an emergency dealing determination is subject, including by imposing new conditions, if the Minister administering section 72E of the Commonwealth Act has made, or is proposing to make, the same variation to the corresponding Commonwealth emergency dealing determination. (2) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, suspend or revoke an emergency dealing determination if the Minister administering section 72E of the Commonwealth Act has suspended or revoked, or is proposing to suspend or revoke, (as the case requires) the corresponding Commonwealth emergency dealing determination. Section 72E of the Commonwealth Act includes a subsection (3) dealing with consultation with the States in relation to the variation, suspension or revocation of an emergency dealing determination. (3) A variation, suspension or revocation of an emergency dealing determination takes effect— (a) if the Minister states in the variation, suspension or revocation that the variation, suspension or revocation is necessary to prevent imminent risk of death, serious illness, serious injury or serious environmental damage—on the day on which the variation, suspension or revocation is made; or (b) in any other case—on the day specified by the Minister in the variation, suspension or revocation. (4) The day specified as mentioned in subsection (3)(b) must not be earlier than 30 days after the day on which the variation, suspension or revocation is made. This section differs from section 72E of the Commonwealth Act.

Part 6

Regulation of notifiable low risk dealings and dealings on the GMO Register

Part 6—Regulation of notifiable low risk dealings and dealings on the GMO Register 73—Simplified outline (a) establishes a mechanism for the regulations to regulate certain dealings with GMOs (notifiable low risk dealings) that do not involve the intentional release of GMOs into the environment (see Division 2); (b) provides that the regulations may (among other things) require that the Regulator be notified of such dealings; (c) enables the Regulator to determine that certain dealings previously authorised by a licence be included on the GMO Register; (d) ensures that, if a dealing is included on the GMO Register, anyone may undertake the dealing, subject to specified conditions. This section differs from section 73 of the Commonwealth Act. Division 2—Notifiable low risk dealings 74—Notifiable low risk dealings (1) The regulations may declare a dealing with a GMO to be a notifiable low risk dealing for the purposes of this Act. (2) Before the Governor makes regulations declaring a dealing with a GMO to be a notifiable low risk dealing, the Regulator must be satisfied that the dealing would not involve the intentional release of a GMO into the environment. (3) Before the Governor makes regulations declaring a dealing with a GMO to be a notifiable low risk dealing, the Regulator must consider— (a) whether the dealing with the GMO would involve any risk to the health and safety of people, or to the environment, taking into account— (i) the properties of the GMO as a pathogen or pest; and (ii) the toxicity of any proteins produced by the GMO; and (b) if there is such a risk—whether 1 or more of the requirements prescribed in the regulations for the purposes of subsection (2) would be sufficient to manage that risk; and (c) any other matter the Regulator considers appropriate. (4) Regulations under subsection (1) may be expressed to apply to— (c) one or more specified dealings with a GMO or with a specified class of GMOs. 75—Regulation of notifiable low risk dealings (1) The regulations may regulate— (a) a specified notifiable low risk dealing; or (b) a specified class of notifiable low risk dealings, for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of people or the environment. (2) The regulations may prescribe different requirements to be complied with in different situations or by different persons, including requirements in relation to the following: (a) the class of person who may undertake notifiable low risk dealings; (b) notifying the Regulator of notifiable low risk dealings; (c) supervision by Institutional Biosafety Committees of notifiable low risk dealings; (d) the containment level of facilities in which notifiable low risk dealings may be undertaken. Division 3—The GMO Register 76—GMO Register Section 76 of the Commonwealth Act provides for the establishment and maintenance of the GMO Register. 77—Contents of Register If the Regulator determines under section 78 that a dealing with a GMO is to be included on the GMO Register, the Regulator must specify in the GMO Register— (a) a description of the dealing with the GMO; and (b) any condition to which the dealing is subject. 78—Regulator may include dealings with GMOs on GMO Register (1) The Regulator may, by writing, determine that a dealing with a GMO is to be included on the GMO Register if the Regulator is satisfied that— (a) the dealing is, or has been, authorised by a GMO licence; or (b) the GMO concerned— (i) is a GM product; and (ii) is a genetically modified organism only because of regulations made under paragraph (c) of the definition of genetically modified organism. (2) A determination under subsection (1) may be made— (a) on application by the holder of a licence that authorises the dealing; or (b) on the initiative of the Regulator. (3) A determination under subsection (1) comes into effect on the day specified in the determination. Section 78(4) of the Commonwealth Act provides for determinations to be disallowable instruments. 79—Regulator not to make determination unless risks can be managed (1) The Regulator must not make a determination under section 78(1) in respect of a dealing with a GMO unless the Regulator is satisfied— (a) that any risks posed by the dealing are minimal; and (b) that it is not necessary for persons undertaking the dealing to hold, or be covered by, a GMO licence, in order to protect the health and safety of people or to protect the environment. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Regulator must have regard to the following: (a) any data available to the Regulator about adverse effects posed by the dealing; (b) any other information as to risks associated with the dealing of which the Regulator is aware, including information provided to the Regulator by a licence holder under section 65 or by another person under section 66; (c) whether there is a need for the dealing to be subject to conditions; (d) any other information in relation to whether the dealing should be authorised by a GMO licence. (3) The Regulator may have regard to such other matters as the Regulator considers relevant. 80—Variation of GMO Register (1) The Regulator may vary the GMO Register by written determination. (2) A variation may— (a) remove a dealing from the GMO Register; or (b) revoke or vary conditions to which a dealing on the GMO Register is subject; or (c) impose additional conditions to which a dealing on the GMO Register is subject. 81—Inspection of Register Section 81 of the Commonwealth Act requires the Regulator to permit any person to inspect the GMO Register.

Part 7

Certification and accreditation

Part 7—Certification and accreditation 82—Simplified outline (a) establishes a system under which the Regulator may certify facilities to specified containment levels in accordance with guidelines issued by the Regulator. Licence conditions, or conditions to which an emergency dealing determination is subject, can require that facilities be certified to specified containment levels (see Division 2); (b) enables the Regulator to accredit organisations in accordance with accreditation guidelines issued by the Regulator. Licence conditions, or conditions to which an emergency dealing determination is subject, can specify that dealings must be supervised by an Institutional Biosafety Committee established by an accredited organisation (see Division 3). Division 2—Certification 83—Application for certification (1) A person may apply to the Regulator for certification of a facility to a particular containment level under this Division. (2) The application must be in writing and must contain such information as the Regulator requires. The conditions of a licence, or conditions to which an emergency dealing determination is subject, may require that a facility be certified under this Division. (3) The application must be accompanied by the application fee (if any) prescribed by the regulations. 84—When the Regulator may certify the facility The Regulator may, by written instrument, certify the facility to a specified containment level if the facility meets the containment requirements specified in guidelines issued by the Regulator under section 90. 85—Regulator may require applicant to give further information (1) The Regulator may, by notice in writing, require an applicant for certification of a facility to give the Regulator such further information in relation to the application as the Regulator requires. 86—Conditions of certification The certification of a facility is subject to the following conditions: (a) any conditions imposed by the Regulator at the time of certification; (b) any conditions imposed by the Regulator under section 87 after certification; (c) any conditions prescribed by the regulations. 87—Variation of certification (1) The Regulator may, at any time, by notice in writing given to the holder of the certification, vary the certification of a facility. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Regulator may— (a) impose additional conditions; or (b) remove or vary conditions that were imposed by the Regulator. 88—Suspension or cancellation of certification The Regulator may, by notice in writing, suspend or cancel the certification of a facility if the Regulator believes on reasonable grounds that a condition of the certification has been breached. 89—Regulator to notify of proposed suspension, cancellation or variation (1) Before suspending, cancelling or varying a certification under this Division, the Regulator must give written notice of the proposed suspension, cancellation or variation to the holder of the certification. (a) must state that the Regulator proposes to suspend, cancel or vary the certification; and (b) may require the holder of the certification to give to the Regulator any information of a kind specified in the notice that is relevant to the proposed suspension, cancellation or variation; and (c) may invite the holder of the certification to make a written submission to the Regulator about the proposed suspension, cancellation or variation. (3) The notice must specify a period within which the holder of the certification— (4) In considering whether to suspend, cancel or vary a certification, the Regulator must have regard to any submission made under subsection (2)(c). (5) This section does not apply to a suspension, cancellation or variation requested by the holder of the certification. (6) This section does not apply to a suspension, cancellation or variation of a certification if the Regulator considers that the suspension, cancellation or variation is necessary in order to avoid an imminent risk of death, serious illness, serious injury or serious damage to the environment. (7) This section does not apply to a variation of a licence if the Regulator is satisfied that the variation is of minor significance or complexity. 89A—Transfer of certification (1) The holder of a certification and another person (the transferee) may jointly apply to the Regulator for the certification to be transferred from the holder of the certification to the transferee. (2) The application must be in writing and must contain— (3) The Regulator must not transfer the certification unless the Regulator is satisfied that, if the certification is transferred, any conditions to which the certification is subject will continue to be met. (4) The Regulator must give written notice of his or her decision on the application to the holder of the certification and the transferee. (5) If the Regulator decides to transfer the certification— (a) the transfer takes effect on the date specified in the notice; and (b) the certification continues in force; and (c) the certification is subject to the same conditions as those in force immediately before the transfer. 90—Guidelines (1) The Regulator may, by written instrument, issue technical or procedural guidelines about the requirements for the certification of facilities to specified containment levels. (2) The Regulator may, by written instrument, vary or revoke the guidelines. Division 3—Accredited organisations 91—Application for accreditation (1) A person may apply to the Regulator for accreditation of an organisation as an accredited organisation under this Division. 1 The conditions of a licence may require supervision of dealings by an Institutional Biosafety Committee (see section 62(2)(m)) and the regulations may require such supervision of notifiable low risk dealings (see section 75(2)(c)). 2 The conditions to which an emergency dealing determination is subject may require supervision of dealings by an Institutional Biosafety Committee (see section 72D(2)(t)). (2) The application must be in writing, and must contain such information as the Regulator requires. 92—Regulator may accredit organisations (1) The Regulator may, by written instrument, accredit an organisation as an accredited organisation. (2) In deciding whether to accredit an organisation, the Regulator must have regard to— (a) whether the organisation has established an Institutional Biosafety Committee in accordance with written guidelines issued by the Regulator under section 98; and (b) if the organisation has established an Institutional Biosafety Committee—whether the organisation will be able to maintain the Institutional Biosafety Committee in accordance with such guidelines; and (c) if the organisation has established an Institutional Biosafety Committee—whether the organisation has appropriate indemnity arrangements for its Institutional Biosafety Committee members; and (ca) if the organisation has not established an Institutional Biosafety Committee as mentioned in paragraph (a)—whether the organisation will be in a position to use an Institutional Biosafety Committee established by an accredited organisation; and (d) any other matters specified in such guidelines. 93—Regulator may require applicant to give further information (1) The Regulator may, by notice in writing, require an applicant for accreditation of an organisation to give the Regulator such further information in relation to the application as the Regulator requires. 94—Conditions of accreditation The accreditation of an accredited organisation is subject to the following conditions: (a) any conditions imposed by the Regulator at the time of accreditation; (b) any conditions imposed by the Regulator under section 95 after accreditation; (c) any conditions prescribed by the regulations. 95—Variation of accreditation (1) The Regulator may, at any time, by notice in writing given to an accredited organisation, vary the organisation's accreditation. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Regulator may— (a) impose additional conditions; or (b) remove or vary conditions that were imposed by the Regulator. 96—Suspension or cancellation of accreditation The Regulator may, by notice in writing, suspend or cancel the accreditation of an organisation if the Regulator believes on reasonable grounds that a condition of the accreditation has been breached. 97—Regulator to notify of proposed suspension, cancellation or variation (1) Before suspending, cancelling or varying an accreditation under this Division, the Regulator must give written notice of the proposed suspension, cancellation or variation to the holder of the accreditation. (a) must state that the Regulator proposes to suspend, cancel or vary the accreditation; and (b) may require the holder of the accreditation to give to the Regulator any information of a kind specified in the notice that is relevant to the proposed suspension, cancellation or variation; and (c) may invite the holder of the accreditation to make a written submission to the Regulator about the proposed suspension, cancellation or variation. (3) The notice must specify a period within which the holder of the accreditation— (4) In considering whether to suspend, cancel or vary an accreditation, the Regulator must have regard to any submission made under subsection (2)(c). (5) This section does not apply to a suspension, cancellation or variation requested by the holder of the accreditation. (6) This section does not apply to a suspension, cancellation or variation of an accreditation if the Regulator considers that the suspension, cancellation or variation is necessary in order to avoid an imminent risk of death, serious illness, serious injury or serious damage to the environment. (7) This section does not apply to a variation of an accreditation if the Regulator is satisfied that the variation is of minor significance or complexity. 98—Guidelines (1) The Regulator may, by written instrument, issue technical or procedural guidelines in relation to requirements that must be met in order for an organisation to be accredited under this Division. (2) The guidelines may relate to, but are not limited to, matters concerning the establishment and maintenance of Institutional Biosafety Committees. (3) The Regulator may, by written instrument, vary or revoke the guidelines.

Part 8

The Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and the Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee

Part 8—The Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and the Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee 99—Simplified outline In outline, this Part sets out the functions under this Act of the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and the Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee. This section differs from section 99 of the Commonwealth Act. Division 2—The Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee 100—The Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee Section 100 of the Commonwealth Act provides for the establishment and membership of the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee. 101—Function of the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee The function of the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee under this Act is to provide scientific and technical advice, on the request of the Regulator or the Ministerial Council, on the following: (a) gene technology, GMOs and GM products; (b) applications made under this Act; (c) the biosafety aspects of gene technology; (d) the need for policy principles, policy guidelines, codes of practice and technical and procedural guidelines in relation to GMOs and GM products and the content of such principles, guidelines and codes. 102—Expert advisers Section 102 of the Commonwealth Act provides for the appointment of expert advisers to the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee. 103—Remuneration Section 103 of the Commonwealth Act provides for the payment of remuneration and allowances to members of, and expert advisers to, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee. 104—Members and procedures Section 104 of the Commonwealth Act empowers the making of regulations relating to the membership and operation of the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee. 105—Subcommittees Section 105 of the Commonwealth Act deals with the establishment of subcommittees by the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee. Division 3—The Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee 106—The Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee Section 106 of the Commonwealth Act establishes the Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee. 107—Function of Ethics and Community Committee The function of the Ethics and Community Committee under this Act is to provide advice, on the request of the Regulator or the Ministerial Council, on the following: (a) ethical issues relating to gene technology; (b) the need for, and content of, codes of practice in relation to ethics in respect of conducting dealings with GMOs; (c) the need for, and content of, policy principles in relation to dealings with GMOs that should not be conducted for ethical reasons; (d) the need for policy principles, policy guidelines, codes of practice and technical and procedural guidelines in relation to GMOs and GM products and the content of such principles, guidelines and codes; (e) community consultation in respect of the process for applications for licences covering dealings that involve the intentional release of a GMO into the environment; (f) risk communication matters in relation to dealings that involve the intentional release of a GMO into the environment; (g) matters of general concern identified by the Regulator in relation to applications made under this Act; (h) matters of general concern in relation to GMOs. 108—Membership Section 108 of the Commonwealth Act provides for the membership of the Ethics and Community Committee. 109—Remuneration Section 109 of the Commonwealth Act provides for the payment of remuneration and allowances to members of the Ethics and Community Committee. 110—Regulations Section 110 of the Commonwealth Act empowers the making of regulations relating to the membership and procedures of the Ethics and Community Committee. 111—Subcommittees Section 111 of the Commonwealth Act deals with the establishment of subcommittees by the Ethics and Community Committee. 112—Expert advisers Section 112 of the Commonwealth Act provides for the appointment of expert advisers to the Ethics and Community Committee.

Part 9

Administration

Part 9—Administration 117—Simplified outline (a) provides for financial matters (see Division 3); (b) sets out reporting requirements (see Division 5); (c) requires the Regulator to ensure that certain information is entered on a record of GMO dealings (see Division 6); (d) permits the Regulator to review notifiable low risk dealings and exemptions (see Division 7). This section differs from section 117 of the Commonwealth Act. Division 2—Appointment and conditions of Regulator 118—Appointment of the Regulator Section 118 of the Commonwealth Act provides for the appointment of the Regulator. 119—Termination of appointment Section 119 of the Commonwealth Act sets out the circumstances in which the Regulator's appointment may be terminated. 120—Disclosure of interests Section 120 of the Commonwealth Act requires the Regulator to disclose his or her interests to the Minister. 121—Acting appointment Section 121 of the Commonwealth Act deals with the appointment of a person to act as the Regulator. 122—Terms and conditions Section 122 of the Commonwealth Act deals with the terms and conditions of appointment of the Regulator. 123—Outside employment Section 123 of the Commonwealth Act prohibits the Regulator from engaging in paid outside employment without the approval of the Minister. 124—Remuneration Section 124 of the Commonwealth Act provides for the payment of remuneration and allowances to the Regulator. 125—Leave of absence Section 125 of the Commonwealth Act deals with the entitlement of the Regulator to leave of absence. 126—Resignation Section 126 of the Commonwealth Act deals with the procedure for resignation by the Regulator. Division 3—Money 127—Regulator may charge for services The Regulator may charge for services provided by, or on behalf of, the Regulator in the performance of the Regulator's functions under this Act or the regulations. 128—Notional payments by the State (1) The purpose of this section is to ensure that fees and charges under this Act and the regulations are notionally payable by the State of South Australia and bodies representing the State. (2) The Treasurer may give written directions for the purpose of this section, including directions relating to the transfer of amounts within, or between, accounts operated by the State of South Australia. This section differs from section 128 of the Commonwealth Act. 129—Gene Technology Account Section 129 of the Commonwealth Act provides for the establishment of the Gene Technology Account. 130—Credits to Gene Technology Account (1) There must be paid to the Commonwealth for crediting to the Gene Technology Account the following: (a) amounts equal to money from time to time received by the State of South Australia under Division 8 of Part 5; (b) amounts equal to fees received by the State of South Australia under sections 40(6) and 83(3); (c) amounts equal to amounts received by the State of South Australia in connection with the performance of the Regulator's functions under this Act or the regulations; (d) amounts equal to amounts recovered by the State of South Australia under section 146(5) or 158(4), to the extent that they are referable to costs paid out of the Gene Technology Account. (2) The Consolidated Account is appropriated to the necessary extent to enable amounts to be paid to the Commonwealth in accordance with subsection (1). This section differs from section 130 of the Commonwealth Act. 131—Recovery of amounts The following amounts may be recovered in a court of competent jurisdiction as debts due to the State of South Australia: (a) amounts payable to the State of South Australia under Division 8 of Part 5; (b) fees payable to the State of South Australia under this Act or the regulations; (c) amounts payable to the State of South Australia in connection with the performance of the Regulator's functions under this Act or the regulations. 132—Purposes of Account Section 132 of the Commonwealth Act sets out the purposes for which money in the Gene Technology Account may be expended. Division 4—Staffing 133—Staff assisting the Regulator Section 133 of the Commonwealth Act provides for staff to be made available to assist the Regulator. 134—Consultants Section 134 of the Commonwealth Act enables the Regulator to engage consultants. 135—Seconded officers Section 135 of the Commonwealth Act provides for staff to be seconded to the Regulator. Division 5—Reporting requirements 136—Annual report (1) As soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, the Regulator must prepare and give to the Minister a report on the operations of the Regulator under this Act and the regulations during that year. (1A) The report must include information about the following: (a) GMO licences issued during the financial year; (b) any breaches of conditions of a GMO licence that have come to the Regulator's attention during the financial year; (c) emergency dealing determinations made by the Minister during the financial year; (d) any breaches of conditions of an emergency dealing determination that have come to the Regulator's attention during the financial year; (e) auditing and monitoring of dealings with GMOs under this Act by the Regulator or an inspector during the financial year. Auditing and monitoring may include spot checks. (2) The Minister must cause a copy of the report to be laid before each House of Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the Minister receives the report. Section 136(3) of the Commonwealth Act requires the Regulator to give a copy of his or her report under that section to each State. 137—Reports to Parliament (1) The Regulator may at any time prepare a report about matters under this Act or the regulations and send copies of the report to the President of the Legislative Council and the Speaker of the House of Assembly to be laid before their respective Houses of Parliament. (2) The Regulator must give a copy of the report to the Minister. Section 137(2) of the Commonwealth Act requires the Regulator to give a copy of his or her report under that section to each State. Division 6—Record of GMO Dealings 138—Record of GMO Dealings (1) The Record must contain the following information, other than confidential commercial information, in relation to each licence issued under section 55: (a) the name of the licence holder; (b) the persons covered by the licence; (c) the dealings authorised by the licence and the GMO to which those dealings relate; (d) any licence conditions; (e) the date on which the licence was issued, and its expiry date (if any). (1A) The Record must contain the following information, other than confidential commercial information, in relation to each emergency dealing determination made under section 72B: (a) the dealings specified in the emergency dealing determination and the GMO to which those dealings relate; (b) any conditions to which the emergency dealing determination is subject; (c) the date on which the emergency dealing determination takes effect; (d) the date on which the emergency dealing determination will cease to have effect. (2) The Record must contain the following information, other than confidential commercial information, in relation to each notifiable low risk dealing that is notified to the Regulator in accordance with regulations under section 75: (a) the name of the person who notified the dealing; (b) such particulars of the dealing as are prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph. (3) The Record must contain such information as is prescribed by the regulations, other than confidential commercial information, in relation to GM products mentioned in designated notifications given to the Regulator under any Act. (4) The Record must also contain— (a) a description of each dealing on the GMO Register; and (b) any condition to which the dealing is subject. (5) The Regulator must ensure that information mentioned in subsection (1), (1A), (2), (3) or (4) is entered on the Record as soon as reasonably practicable. (6) In this section— designated notification means a notification required to be given to the Regulator under an Act or any law applying as a law of the State of South Australia by force of an Act. This section differs from section 138 of the Commonwealth Act. 139—Inspection of Record Section 139 of the Commonwealth Act requires the Regulator to permit any person to inspect the Record. Division 7—Reviews of notifiable low risk dealings and exemptions 140—Regulator may review notifiable low risk dealings (1) The Regulator may, at any time, in accordance with this Division, consider the following matters: (a) whether a dealing with a GMO should be a notifiable low risk dealing; (b) whether an existing notifiable low risk dealing should no longer be a notifiable low risk dealing. (2) The basis of the Regulator's consideration must relate to— (a) the matters of which the Regulator must be satisfied under section 74(2); or (b) the matters the Regulator must consider under section 74(3). 141—Regulator may review exemptions The Regulator may, at any time, in accordance with this Division, consider the following matters: (a) whether a dealing that is an exempt dealing within the meaning of section 32 should not be an exempt dealing; (b) whether a dealing should be an exempt dealing within the meaning of that section. 142—Regulator may give notice of consideration (1) The Regulator may publish a notice inviting written submissions in relation to any matter that the Regulator may consider under section 140 or 141. The notice must— (a) specify the matters to which submissions are to relate; and (b) specify the closing date for submissions, which must not be earlier than 30 days after the date on which the notice was published. (2) If the Regulator publishes a notice under subsection (1), the Regulator must also give written notice, stating the matters mentioned in subsection (1), to— (c) each Commonwealth authority or agency prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph. (3) A notice under this section may relate to a single matter or to a class of matters. 143—What Regulator may do after consideration (a) the matter relates to whether a dealing should be a notifiable low risk dealing; and (b) the Regulator is satisfied as mentioned in section 74(2); and (c) the Regulator has considered the matters mentioned in section 74(3), the Regulator may recommend to the Ministerial Council that the dealing be declared to be a notifiable low risk dealing. (2) If— (a) the matter relates to whether an existing notifiable low risk dealing be reconsidered; and (b) after having had regard to the matters mentioned in section 74, the Regulator considers that the dealing should not be a notifiable low risk dealing, the Regulator may recommend to the Ministerial Council that the regulations be amended accordingly. (3) If the matter relates to whether a dealing— (a) should be an exempt dealing; or (b) should cease to be an exempt dealing, the Regulator may recommend to the Ministerial Council that the regulations be amended accordingly. 144—Regulator not required to review matters Nothing in this Division requires the Regulator to consider a matter under section 140 or 141.

Part 10

Enforcement

Part 10—Enforcement 145—Simplified outline (a) enables the Regulator to give directions to a licence holder or to a person covered by a licence if— (i) the Regulator believes that the person is not complying with this Act or the regulations; and (ii) the Regulator believes that it is necessary to do so in order to protect the health and safety of people or to protect the environment, or for certain other reasons; (ab) enables the Regulator to give directions to a person permitted by an emergency dealing determination to deal with a GMO if— (i) the Regulator believes that the person is not complying with this Act or the regulations; and (ii) the Regulator believes that it is necessary to do so in order to protect the health and safety of people or to protect the environment, or for certain other reasons; (b) empowers the Supreme Court to issue injunctions, and contains a forfeiture provision. This section differs from section 145 of the Commonwealth Act. 146—Regulator may give directions (1) If the Regulator believes, on reasonable grounds, that— (a) a licence holder is not complying with this Act or the regulations in respect of a thing; and (b) either of the following applies: (i) it is necessary to exercise powers under this section in order to protect the health and safety of people or to protect the environment; (ii) it is desirable in the public interest, having regard to the matters specified in subsection (2A), for the Regulator to exercise powers under this section, the Regulator may give directions to the licence holder, by written notice, requiring the licence holder, within the time specified in the notice, to take such steps in relation to the thing as are reasonable in the circumstances for the licence holder to comply with this Act or the regulations. (2) If the Regulator believes on reasonable grounds that— (a) 1 of the following kinds of persons is not complying with this Act or the regulations in respect of a thing: (i) a person covered by a GMO licence; (ii) a person dealing with, or who has dealt with, a GMO specified in an emergency dealing determination; and (b) either of the following applies: (i) it is necessary to exercise powers under this section in order to protect the health and safety of people or to protect the environment; (ii) it is desirable in the public interest, having regard to the matters specified in subsection (2A), for the Regulator to exercise powers under this section, the Regulator may give directions to the person, by written notice, requiring the person, within the time specified in the notice, to take such steps in relation to the thing as are reasonable in the circumstances for the person to comply with this Act or the regulations. (2A) For the purposes of deciding under subsection (1)(b)(ii) or (2)(b)(ii) whether it is desirable to exercise powers under this section to give directions to a licence holder or another person, the Regulator must have regard to the following: (a) the types of dealings with GMOs authorised by the licence or specified in the emergency dealing determination concerned and, in particular, whether the dealings are ongoing; (b) whether measures have been, or are being, taken to address the non‑compliance with this Act or the regulations that the Regulator believes is occurring (the suspected non‑compliance); (c) the likelihood of the licence holder or other person not complying with this Act or the regulations at a future time; (d) the severity of the suspected non‑compliance; (e) whether, on 1 or more occasions, the licence holder or the other person— (i) has been charged with or convicted of an offence against this Act; or (ii) has been given a direction under this section; (f) other means available to the Regulator to address the suspected non‑compliance (including, but not limited to, by cancelling, varying or suspending a licence, accreditation or certification); (g) whether, in the Regulator's opinion, the suspected non‑compliance was deliberate; (h) the desirability of deterring future non‑compliance with this Act or the regulations. (3) A person must take the steps specified in a notice under subsection (1) or (2) within the time specified in the notice. Maximum penalty: in the case of an aggravated offence—$220 000; in any other case—$55 000. Aggravated offence is defined in section 38. (4) If the licence holder or the person, as the case requires, does not take the steps specified in the notice within the time specified in the notice, the Regulator may arrange for those steps to be taken. (5) If the Regulator incurs costs because of arrangements made by the Regulator under subsection (4), the licence holder or the person, as the case requires, is liable to pay to the State of South Australia an amount equal to the cost, and the amount may be recovered by the State as a debt due to the State in a court of competent jurisdiction. (6) A time specified in a notice under subsection (1) or (2) must be reasonable having regard to the circumstances. This section differs from section 146 of the Commonwealth Act. 147—Injunctions (1) If a person has engaged, is engaging, or is about to engage in any conduct that is or would be an offence against this Act or the regulations, the Supreme Court (the Court) may, on the application of the Regulator or any other aggrieved person, grant an injunction restraining the person from engaging in the conduct. (2) If— (a) a person has refused or failed, is refusing or failing, or is about to refuse or fail, to do a thing; and (b) the refusal or failure is, or would be, an offence against this Act or the regulations, the Court may, on the application of the Regulator or any other aggrieved person, grant an injunction requiring the person to do the thing. (3) The power of the Court to grant an injunction may be exercised— (a) whether or not it appears to the Court that the person intends to engage, or to continue to engage, in conduct of that kind; and (b) whether or not the person has previously engaged in conduct of that kind. (4) The Court may discharge or vary an injunction granted under this section. (5) The Court may grant an interim injunction pending a determination of an application under subsection (1). (6) The powers granted by this section are in addition to, and not in derogation of, any other powers of the Court. Section 147 of the Commonwealth Act confers a similar power to grant injunctions on the Federal Court of Australia. 148—Forfeiture (1) If a court finds a person guilty of an offence against this Act or the regulations, the court may order forfeiture to the State of South Australia of any thing used or otherwise involved in the commission of the offence. (2) A thing ordered by a court to be forfeited under this section becomes the property of the State of South Australia and may be sold or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the directions of the Regulator. (3) Until the Regulator gives a direction, the thing must be kept in such custody as the Regulator directs. This section differs from section 148 of the Commonwealth Act.

Part 11

Powers of inspection

Part 11—Powers of inspection 149—Simplified outline (a) provides for powers of inspection in relation to monitoring and offences; (b) provides for the appointment of inspectors (see Division 2); (c) deals with the powers and obligations of inspectors and the rights and responsibilities of an occupier of premises when an inspector seeks to exercise powers (see Divisions 3 to 9); (d) sets out procedures relating to monitoring warrants and offence-related warrants (see Division 10); (e) does not limit the conditions to which a licence or an emergency dealing determination can be subject, and section 64 imposes a condition in relation to monitoring dealings with GMOs. Division 2—Appointment of inspectors and identity cards 150—Appointment of inspectors (1) The Regulator may, by instrument in writing, appoint as an inspector any person or class of persons as the Regulator thinks fit, including a person who is appointed or employed by the Commonwealth. (2) In exercising powers or performing functions as an inspector, an inspector must comply with any directions of the Regulator. This section differs from section 150 of the Commonwealth Act. 151—Identity card (1) The Regulator must issue an identity card to an inspector. (2) The identity card— (a) must be in the form prescribed by the regulations; and (b) must contain a recent photograph of the inspector. (3) If a person to whom an identity card has been issued ceases to be an inspector, the person must return the identity card to the Regulator as soon as practicable. Maximum penalty: $110. (4) An inspector must carry his or her identity card at all times when exercising powers or performing functions as an inspector. Division 3—Monitoring powers 152—Powers available to inspectors for monitoring compliance (1) For the purpose of finding out whether this Act or the regulations have been complied with, an inspector may— (a) enter any premises; and (b) exercise the monitoring powers set out in section 153. (2) An inspector is not authorised to enter premises under subsection (1) unless— (a) the occupier of the premises has consented to the entry; or (b) the entry is made under a warrant under section 172; or (c) the occupier of the premises is a licence holder, or a person covered by a licence, and the entry is at a reasonable time; or (d) the occupier of the premises is a person dealing with, or who has dealt with, a GMO specified in an emergency dealing determination and the entry is at a reasonable time. 153—Monitoring powers (1) The monitoring powers that an inspector may exercise under section 152(1)(b) are as follows: (a) to search the premises and any thing on the premises; (b) to inspect, examine, take measurements of, conduct tests on, or take samples of, any thing on the premises that relates to a GMO; (c) to take photographs, make video or audio recordings or make sketches of the premises or any thing on the premises; (d) if the inspector was authorised to enter the premises by a warrant under section 172, to require any person in or on the premises to— (i) answer any questions put by the inspector; and (ii) produce any book, record or document requested by the inspector; (e) to inspect any book, record or document on the premises; (f) to take extracts from or make copies of any such book, record or document; (g) to take onto the premises such equipment and materials as the inspector requires for the purpose of exercising powers in relation to the premises; (h) to secure a thing, until a warrant is obtained to seize it, being a thing— (i) that the inspector finds during the exercise of monitoring powers on the premises; and (ii) that the inspector believes on reasonable grounds is evidential material; and (iii) that the inspector believes on reasonable grounds would be lost, destroyed or tampered with before the warrant can be obtained. (2) For the purposes of this Part, monitoring powers include the power to operate equipment at premises to see whether— (a) the equipment; or (b) a disk, tape or other storage device that— (i) is at the premises; and (ii) can be used with the equipment or is associated with it, contains information that is relevant to determining whether there has been compliance with this Act or the regulations. (3) If the inspector, after operating equipment at the premises, finds that the equipment, or that a tape, disk or other storage device at the premises, contains information mentioned in subsection (2), the inspector may— (a) operate facilities at the premises to put the information in documentary form and copy the document so produced; or (b) if the information can be transferred to a tape, disk or other storage device that— (i) is brought to the premises; or (ii) is at the premises and the use of which for the purpose has been agreed to in writing by the occupier of the premises, operate the equipment or other facilities to copy the information to the storage device, and remove the storage device from the premises. Division 4—Offence related powers 154—Searches and seizures related to offences (1) This section applies if an inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting that there may be evidential material on any premises. (2) The inspector may— (a) enter the premises, with the consent of the occupier or under a warrant issued under section 173; and (b) exercise the powers set out in subsection (3) and section 155; and (c) if the entry is under a warrant—seize the evidential material, if the inspector finds it on the premises. (3) If— (a) in the course of searching, in accordance with a warrant, for a particular thing, an inspector finds another thing that the inspector believes on reasonable grounds to be evidential material; and (b) the inspector believes, on reasonable grounds, that it is necessary to seize that other thing in order to prevent its concealment, loss or destruction, or its use in committing, continuing or repeating an offence against this Act or the regulations, the warrant is taken to authorise the inspector to seize that other thing. 155—Offence-related powers of inspectors in relation to premises The powers an inspector may exercise under section 154(2)(b) are as follows: (a) to search the premises and any thing on the premises for the evidential material; (b) to inspect, examine, take measurements of, conduct tests on, or take samples of the evidential material; (c) to take photographs, make video or audio recordings or make sketches of the premises or the evidential material; (d) to take onto the premises such equipment and materials as the inspector requires for the purpose of exercising powers in relation to the premises. 156—Use of equipment at premises (1) The inspector may operate equipment at the premises to see whether evidential material is accessible by doing so, if the inspector believes on reasonable grounds that the operation of the equipment can be carried out without damage to the equipment. (2) If the inspector, after operating the equipment, finds that evidential material is accessible by doing so, the inspector may— (a) seize the equipment and any disk, tape or other associated device; or (b) if the material can, by using facilities at the premises, be put in documentary form—operate the facilities to put the material in that form and seize the documents so produced; or (c) if the material can be transferred to a disk, tape or other storage device that— (i) is brought to the premises; or (ii) is at the premises and the use of which for the purpose has been agreed to in writing by the occupier of the premises, operate the equipment or other facilities to copy the material to the storage device and take the storage device from the premises. (3) An inspector may seize equipment under subsection (2)(a) only if— (a) it is not practicable to put the material in documentary form as mentioned in subsection (2)(b) or to copy the material as mentioned in subsection (2)(c); or (b) possession by the occupier of the equipment could constitute an offence. (4) An inspector may seize equipment under subsection (2)(a) or documents under subsection (2)(b) only if the inspector entered the premises under a warrant. Division 5—Expert assistance 157—Expert assistance to operate a thing (1) If an inspector believes on reasonable grounds that— (a) information relevant to determining whether there has been compliance with this Act or the regulations, or evidential material, may be accessible by operating a thing at particular premises; and (b) expert assistance is required to operate the thing; and (c) if he or she does not take action under this subsection, the information or material may be destroyed, altered or otherwise interfered with, he or she may do whatever is necessary to secure the thing, whether by locking it up, placing a guard or otherwise. (2) The inspector must give notice to the occupier of the premises of his or her intention to secure the thing and of the fact that the thing may be secured for up to 24 hours. (3) The thing may be secured— (a) for a period not exceeding 24 hours; or (b) until the thing has been operated by the expert, whichever happens first. (4) If the inspector believes on reasonable grounds that the expert assistance will not be available within 24 hours, he or she may apply to the Magistrates Court for an extension of that period. (5) The inspector must give notice to the occupier of the premises of his or her intention to apply for an extension, and the occupier is entitled to be heard in relation to the application. Division 6—Emergency powers 158—Powers available to inspectors for dealing with dangerous situations (1) This section applies if— (a) an inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting that there may be on any premises a particular thing in respect of which this Act or the regulations has not been complied with; and (b) the inspector considers that it is necessary to exercise powers under this section in order to avoid an imminent risk of death, serious illness or serious injury, or to protect the environment. (2) The inspector may do any of the following: (a) enter the premises; (b) search the premises for the thing; (c) secure the thing, if the inspector finds it on the premises, until a warrant is obtained to seize the thing; (d) if the inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person has not complied with this Act or the regulations in respect of the thing—require the person to take such steps as the inspector considers necessary for the person to comply with this Act or the regulations; (e) take such steps, or arrange for such steps to be taken, in relation to the thing as the inspector considers appropriate. (3) The inspector may exercise the powers in subsection (2) only to the extent that it is necessary for the purpose of avoiding an imminent risk of death, serious illness, serious injury or serious damage to the environment. (4) If the Regulator incurs costs because of steps reasonably taken or arranged to be taken by an inspector under subsection (2)(e), the person is liable to pay to the State of South Australia an amount equal to the cost, and the amount may be recovered by the State as a debt due to the State in a court of competent jurisdiction. Division 7—Obligations and incidental powers of inspectors 159—Inspector must produce identity card on request An inspector is not entitled to exercise any powers under this Part in relation to premises if— (a) the occupier of the premises has required the inspector to produce his or her identity card for inspection by the occupier; and (b) the inspector fails to comply with the requirement. 160—Consent (1) Before obtaining the consent of a person for the purposes of section 152(2)(a) or 154(2)(a), the inspector must inform the person that he or she may refuse consent. (2) An entry of an inspector by virtue of the consent of a person is not lawful unless the person voluntarily consented to the entry. 161—Details of warrant to be given to occupier etc (1) If a warrant in relation to premises is being executed and the occupier of the premises or another person who apparently represents the occupier is present at the premises, the inspector must make available to that person a copy of the warrant. (2) The inspector must identify himself or herself to that person. (3) The copy of the warrant referred to in subsection (1) need not include the signature of the magistrate who issued the warrant. 162—Announcement before entry (1) An inspector must, before entering premises under a warrant— (a) announce that he or she is authorised to enter the premises; and (b) give any person at the premises an opportunity to allow entry to the premises. (2) An inspector is not required to comply with subsection (1) if he or she believes on reasonable grounds that immediate entry to the premises is required— (a) to ensure the safety of a person; or (b) to prevent serious damage to the environment; or (c) to ensure that the effective execution of the warrant is not frustrated. 163—Compensation for damage (1) The owner of a thing is entitled to compensation for damage to the thing if— (a) the damage was caused to the thing as a result of it being operated as mentioned in this Part; and (b) the damage was caused as a result of— (i) insufficient care being exercised in selecting the person who was to operate the thing; or (ii) insufficient care being exercised by the person operating the thing. (2) Compensation is payable by the Regulator. Section 163(2) of the Commonwealth Act provides for compensation to be paid out of money appropriated by Parliament. (3) In determining the amount of compensation payable, regard is to be had to whether the occupier of the premises and their employees and agents, if they were available at the time, had provided any warning or guidance as to the operation of the thing that was appropriate in the circumstances. Division 8—Power to search goods, baggage etc 164—Power to search goods, baggage etc (1) This section applies to any goods that are to be, are being, or have been, taken off a ship that voyages, or an aircraft that flies, between a place outside South Australia and a place in South Australia. (2) If an inspector believes, on reasonable grounds, that goods are goods to which this section applies, and that the goods may be, or may contain, evidential material, the inspector may— (a) examine the goods; or (b) if the goods are baggage—open and search the baggage; or (c) if the goods are in a container—open and search the container. (3) An inspector may ask a person who owns, is carrying or is otherwise associated with, or appears to the inspector to be associated with, goods to which this section applies, any question in respect of the goods. (4) A person must not refuse or fail to answer a question put to the person under subsection (3). Maximum penalty: $3 300. This section differs from section 164 of the Commonwealth Act. 165—Seizure of goods An inspector may seize goods mentioned in section 164 if the inspector has reasonable grounds to suspect that the goods are evidential material.

Div 9

General provisions relating to search and seizure

Division 9—General provisions relating to search and seizure 166—Copies of seized things to be provided (1) Subject to subsection (2), if an inspector seizes, under a warrant relating to premises— (a) a document, film, computer file or other thing that can be readily copied; or (b) a storage device, the information in which can be readily copied, the inspector must, if requested to do so by the occupier of the premises, or another person who apparently represents the occupier and who is present when the warrant is executed, give a copy of the thing or the information to that person as soon as practicable after the seizure. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if— (a) the thing that has been seized was seized under section 156(2)(b) or (c); or (b) possession by the occupier of the document, film, computer file, thing or information could constitute an offence. 167—Occupier entitled to be present during search (1) If a warrant in relation to premises is being executed and the occupier of the premises, or another person who apparently represents the occupier is present at the premises, the person is entitled to observe the search being conducted. (2) The right to observe the search being conducted ceases if the person impedes the search. (3) This section does not prevent two or more areas of the premises being searched at the same time. 168—Receipts for things seized (1) If a thing is seized under this Part, the inspector must provide a receipt for the thing. (2) If two or more things are seized, they may be covered in the one receipt. 169—Retention of seized things (1) Subject to any contrary order of a court, if an inspector seizes a thing under this Part, the inspector must return it if— (a) the reason for its seizure no longer exists or it is decided that it is not to be used in evidence; or (b) the period of 60 days after its seizure ends, whichever first occurs, unless the thing is forfeited or forfeitable to the State of South Australia. (2) At the end of the 60 days specified in subsection (1), an inspector must take reasonable steps to return the thing to the person from whom it was seized, unless— (a) proceedings in respect of which the thing may afford evidence were instituted before the end of the 60 days and have not been completed (including an appeal to a court in relation to those proceedings); or (b) an inspector may retain the thing because of an order under section 170; or (c) to return the thing could cause an imminent risk of death, serious illness, serious injury or serious damage to the environment; or (d) an inspector is otherwise authorised (by a law, or an order of a court, of the State of South Australia or the Commonwealth) to retain, destroy or dispose of the thing. (3) The thing may be returned under subsection (2) either unconditionally or on such terms and conditions as the Regulator sees fit. 170—Magistrates Court may permit a thing to be retained (1) An inspector may apply to the Magistrates Court for an order that he or she may retain the thing for a further period if— (a) before the end of 60 days after the seizure; or (b) before the end of a period previously specified in an order of the Magistrates Court under this section, proceedings in respect of which the thing may afford evidence have not commenced. (2) If the Magistrates Court is satisfied that it is necessary for an inspector to continue to retain the thing— (a) for the purposes of an investigation as to whether an offence against this Act or the regulations has been committed; or (b) to enable evidence of an offence against this Act or the regulations to be secured for the purposes of a prosecution, the Court may order that an inspector may retain the thing for a period (not being a period exceeding 3 years) specified in the order. (3) Before making the application, the inspector must— (a) take reasonable steps to discover who has an interest in the retention of the thing; and (b) if it is practicable to do so, notify each person whom the inspector believes to have such an interest of the proposed application. (4) The Magistrates Court must, when exercising its jurisdiction under this section, be constituted of a magistrate. This section differs from section 170 of the Commonwealth Act. 171—Disposal of goods if there is no owner or owner cannot be located If— (a) a thing is seized under this Part; and (b) apart from this section, the State of South Australia is required to return the thing to the owner; and (c) there is no owner or the Regulator cannot, despite making reasonable efforts, locate the owner, the Regulator may dispose of the thing in such manner as the Regulator thinks appropriate.

Div 10

Warrants

Division 10—Warrants 172—Monitoring warrants (1) An inspector may apply to a magistrate for a warrant under this section in relation to premises. (2) Subject to subsection (3), the magistrate may issue the warrant if the magistrate is satisfied, by evidence on oath, that it is reasonably necessary that one or more inspectors should have access to the premises for the purposes of finding out whether this Act or the regulations have been complied with. (3) The magistrate must not issue the warrant unless the inspector or some other person has given to the magistrate, either orally or by affidavit, such further information (if any) as the magistrate requires concerning the grounds on which the issue of the warrant is being sought. (4) The warrant must— (a) authorise one or more inspectors (whether or not named in the warrant), with such assistance and by such force as is necessary and reasonable— (i) to enter the premises; and (ii) to exercise the powers set out in section 153 in relation to the premises; and (b) state whether the entry is authorised to be made at any time of the day or night or during specified hours of the day or night; and (c) specify the day (not more than six months after the issue of the warrant) on which the warrant ceases to have effect; and (d) state the purpose for which the warrant is issued. 173—Offence-related warrants (1) An inspector may apply to a magistrate for a warrant under this section in relation to premises. (2) Subject to subsection (3), the magistrate may issue the warrant if the magistrate is satisfied, by evidence on oath, that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that there is, or there may be within the next 72 hours, evidential material in or on the premises. (3) The magistrate must not issue the warrant unless the inspector or some other person has given to the magistrate, either orally or by affidavit, such further information (if any) as the magistrate requires concerning the grounds on which the issue of the warrant is being sought. (4) The warrant must— (a) name one or more inspectors; and (b) authorise the inspectors so named, with such assistance and by such force as is necessary and reasonable— (i) to enter the premises; and (ii) to exercise the powers set out in sections 154(3) and 155; and (iii) to seize the evidential material; and (c) state whether the entry is authorised to be made at any time of the day or night or during specified hours of the day or night; and (d) specify the day (not more than one week after the issue of the warrant) on which the warrant ceases to have effect; and (e) state the purpose for which the warrant is issued. 174—Offence-related warrants by telephone, telex, fax etc (1) If, in an urgent case, an inspector considers it necessary to do so, the inspector may apply to a magistrate by telephone, telex, fax or other electronic means for a warrant under section 173 in relation to premises. (2) The magistrate may require communication by voice to the extent that it is practicable in the circumstances. (3) Before applying for the warrant, the inspector must prepare an affidavit in relation to the premises that sets out the grounds on which the warrant is sought. (4) If it is necessary to do so, the inspector may apply for the warrant before the affidavit is sworn. (5) If the magistrate is satisfied— (a) after having considered the terms of the affidavit; and (b) after having received such further information (if any) as the magistrate requires concerning the grounds on which the issue of the warrant is being sought, that there are reasonable grounds for issuing the warrant, the magistrate may complete and sign the same warrant that the magistrate would issue under section 173 if the application had been made under that section. (6) If the magistrate completes and signs the warrant— (a) the magistrate must— (i) tell the inspector what the terms of the warrant are; and (ii) tell the inspector the day on which and the time at which the warrant was signed; and (iii) tell the inspector the day (not more than one week after the magistrate completes and signs the warrant) on which the warrant ceases to have effect; and (iv) record on the warrant the reasons for issuing the warrant; and (b) the inspector must— (i) complete a form of warrant in the same terms as the warrant completed and signed by the magistrate; and (ii) write on the form the name of the magistrate and the day on which and the time at which the warrant was signed. (7) The inspector must also, not later than the day after the day of expiry or execution of the warrant, whichever is the earlier, send to the magistrate— (a) the form of warrant completed by the inspector; and (b) the affidavit referred to in subsection (3), which must have been duly sworn. (8) When the magistrate receives those documents, the magistrate must— (a) attach them to the warrant that the magistrate completed and signed; and (b) deal with them in the way in which the magistrate would have dealt with the affidavit if the application had been made under section 173. (9) A form of warrant duly completed under subsection (6) is authority for any entry, search, seizure or other exercise of a power that the warrant signed by the magistrate authorises. (10) If— (a) it is material, in any proceedings, for a court to be satisfied that an exercise of a power was authorised by this section; and (b) the warrant signed by the magistrate authorising the exercise of the power is not produced in evidence, the court must assume, unless the contrary is proved, that the exercise of the power was not authorised by such a warrant. (11) A reference in this Part to a warrant under section 173 includes a reference to a warrant signed by a magistrate under this section. 175—Offences relating to warrants (1) An inspector must not make, in an application for a warrant, a statement that the inspector knows to be false or misleading in a material particular. (2) An inspector must not— (a) state in a document that purports to be a form of warrant under section 174 the name of a magistrate unless that magistrate issued the warrant; or (b) state on a form of warrant under that section a matter that, to the inspector's knowledge, departs in a material particular from the form authorised by the magistrate; or (c) purport to execute, or present to another person, a document that purports to be a form of warrant under that section that the inspector knows— (i) has not been approved by a magistrate under that section; or (ii) departs in a material particular from the terms authorised by a magistrate under that section; or (d) give to a magistrate a form of warrant under that section that is not the form of warrant that the inspector purported to execute.

Div 11

Other matters

Division 11—Other matters 176—Part not to abrogate privilege against self-incrimination Nothing in this Part affects the right of a person to refuse to answer a question, give information, or produce a document, on the ground that the answer to the question, the information, or the production of the document, might tend to incriminate him or her or make him or her liable to a penalty. 177—Part does not limit power to impose conditions This Part is not to be taken to limit the Regulator's power to impose licence conditions or the Minister's power to impose conditions on an emergency dealing determination.

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Sourced from South Australian Legislation (legislation.sa.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.

1 Gene Technology Act 2001

South Australia Gene Technology Act 2001 An Act to regulate activities involving gene technology; and for other purposes.

Contents Part 1—Preliminary 1 Short title 3 Object of Act 4 Regulatory framework to achieve object 5 Nationally consistent scheme 5A Amendments to Act to maintain national consistency 6 Act to bind the Crown 7 External Territories 8 Offences 8A Numbering 8B Notes 8C Outlines Part 2—Interpretation and operation of Act Division 1—Simplified outline 9 Simplified outline Division 2—Definitions 10 Definitions 11 Meaning of intentional release of a GMO into the environment 12 Meaning of corresponding State law Division 3—Operation of Act 13 Operation of Act 14 Wind-back of reach of Act 15 Relationship to other State laws Division 4—Provisions to facilitate a nationally consistent scheme Subdivision 1—General provisions 16 State laws may operate concurrently 17 Conferral of functions on Commonwealth officers and bodies 18 No doubling-up of liabilities 19 Review of certain decisions 20 Things done for multiple purposes Subdivision 2—Policy principles, policy guidelines and codes of practice 21 Ministerial Council may issue policy principles 22 Consultation on policy principles 23 Ministerial Council may issue policy guidelines 24 Ministerial Council may issue codes of practice Part 3—The Gene Technology Regulator 25 Simplified outline 26 The Gene Technology Regulator 27 Functions of the Regulator 28 Powers of the Regulator 29 Delegation 30 Independence of the Regulator Part 4—Regulations of dealings with GMOs Division 1—Simplified outline 31 Simplified outline Division 2—Dealings with GMOs must be licensed 32 Person not to deal with a GMO without a licence 33 Person not to deal with a GMO without a licence—strict liability offence 34 Person must not breach conditions of a GMO licence 35 Person must not breach conditions of a GMO licence—strict liability offence 35A Person must not breach conditions of emergency dealing determination 35B Person must not breach conditions of emergency dealing determination—strict liability offence 36 Person must not breach conditions on GMO Register 37 Offence relating to notifiable low risk dealings 38 Aggravated offences—significant damage to health or safety of people or to the environment Part 5—Licensing system Division 1—Simplified outline 39 Simplified outline Division 2—Licence applications 40 Person may apply for a licence 40A Licences relating to inadvertent dealings 41 Application may be withdrawn 42 Regulator may require applicant to give further information 43 Regulator must consider applications except in certain circumstances 44 Regulator may consult with applicant 45 Regulator must not use certain information in considering licence application Division 3—Initial consideration of licences for dealings not involving intentional release of a GMO into the environment 46 Applications to which this Division applies 46A Division does not apply to an application relating to inadvertent dealings 47 What the Regulator must do in relation to application Division 4—Initial consideration of licences for dealings involving intentional release of a GMO into the environment 48 Applications to which this Division applies 49 Division does not apply to an application relating to inadvertent dealings 50 Regulator must prepare risk assessment and risk management plan 50A Limited and controlled release applications 51 Matters Regulator must take into account in preparing risk assessment and risk management plan 52 Public notification of risk assessment and risk management plan 53 Regulator may take other actions 54 Person may request copies of certain documents Division 5—Decision on licence etc 55 Regulator must make a decision on licence and licence conditions 56 Regulator must not issue the licence unless satisfied as to risk management 57 Other circumstances in which Regulator must not issue the licence 58 Matters to be taken into account in deciding whether a person is suitable to hold a licence 59 Notification of licence decision 60 Period of licence Division 6—Conditions of licences 61 Licence is subject to conditions 62 Conditions that may be prescribed or imposed 63 Condition about informing people of obligations 64 Condition about monitoring and audits 65 Condition about additional information to be given to the Regulator 66 Person may give information to Regulator 67 Protection of persons who give information Division 7—Suspension, cancellation and variation of licences 68 Suspension and cancellation of licence 69 Surrender of licence 70 Transfer of licences 71 Variation of licence 72 Regulator to notify of proposed suspension, cancellation or variation Division 8—Annual charge 72AA GMO licence—annual charge Part 5A—Emergency dealing determinations Division 1—Simplified outline 72A Simplified outline Division 2—Making of emergency dealing determination 72B Minister may make emergency dealing determination 72C Period of effect of emergency dealing determination Division 3—Effect and conditions of emergency dealing determination 72D Emergency dealing determination authorises dealings, subject to conditions Division 4—Variation, suspension and revocation of emergency dealing determination 72E Variation, suspension and revocation of emergency dealing determination Part 6—Regulation of notifiable low risk dealings and dealings on the GMO Register Division 1—Simplified outline 73 Simplified outline Division 2—Notifiable low risk dealings 74 Notifiable low risk dealings 75 Regulation of notifiable low risk dealings Division 3—The GMO Register 76 GMO Register 77 Contents of Register 78 Regulator may include dealings with GMOs on GMO Register 79 Regulator not to make determination unless risks can be managed 80 Variation of GMO Register 81 Inspection of Register Part 7—Certification and accreditation Division 1—Simplified outline 82 Simplified outline Division 2—Certification 83 Application for certification 84 When the Regulator may certify the facility 85 Regulator may require applicant to give further information 86 Conditions of certification 87 Variation of certification 88 Suspension or cancellation of certification 89 Regulator to notify of proposed suspension, cancellation or variation 89A Transfer of certification 90 Guidelines Division 3—Accredited organisations 91 Application for accreditation 92 Regulator may accredit organisations 93 Regulator may require applicant to give further information 94 Conditions of accreditation 95 Variation of accreditation 96 Suspension or cancellation of accreditation 97 Regulator to notify of proposed suspension, cancellation or variation 98 Guidelines Part 8—The Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and the Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee Division 1—Simplified outline 99 Simplified outline Division 2—The Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee 100 The Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee 101 Function of the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee 102 Expert advisers 103 Remuneration 104 Members and procedures 105 Subcommittees Division 3—The Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee 106 The Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee 107 Function of Ethics and Community Committee 108 Membership 109 Remuneration 110 Regulations 111 Subcommittees 112 Expert advisers Part 9—Administration Division 1—Simplified outline 117 Simplified outline Division 2—Appointment and conditions of Regulator 118 Appointment of the Regulator 119 Termination of appointment 120 Disclosure of interests 121 Acting appointment 122 Terms and conditions 123 Outside employment 124 Remuneration 125 Leave of absence 126 Resignation Division 3—Money 127 Regulator may charge for services 128 Notional payments by the State 129 Gene Technology Account 130 Credits to Gene Technology Account 131 Recovery of amounts 132 Purposes of Account Division 4—Staffing 133 Staff assisting the Regulator 134 Consultants 135 Seconded officers Division 5—Reporting requirements 136 Annual report 137 Reports to Parliament Division 6—Record of GMO Dealings 138 Record of GMO Dealings 139 Inspection of Record Division 7—Reviews of notifiable low risk dealings and exemptions 140 Regulator may review notifiable low risk dealings 141 Regulator may review exemptions 142 Regulator may give notice of consideration 143 What Regulator may do after consideration 144 Regulator not required to review matters Part 10—Enforcement 145 Simplified outline 146 Regulator may give directions 147 Injunctions 148 Forfeiture Part 11—Powers of inspection Division 1—Simplified outline 149 Simplified outline Division 2—Appointment of inspectors and identity cards 150 Appointment of inspectors 151 Identity card Division 3—Monitoring powers 152 Powers available to inspectors for monitoring compliance 153 Monitoring powers Division 4—Offence related powers 154 Searches and seizures related to offences 155 Offence-related powers of inspectors in relation to premises 156 Use of equipment at premises Division 5—Expert assistance 157 Expert assistance to operate a thing Division 6—Emergency powers 158 Powers available to inspectors for dealing with dangerous situations Division 7—Obligations and incidental powers of inspectors 159 Inspector must produce identity card on request 160 Consent 161 Details of warrant to be given to occupier etc 162 Announcement before entry 163 Compensation for damage Division 8—Power to search goods, baggage etc 164 Power to search goods, baggage etc 165 Seizure of goods Division 9—General provisions relating to search and seizure 166 Copies of seized things to be provided 167 Occupier entitled to be present during search 168 Receipts for things seized 169 Retention of seized things 170 Magistrates Court may permit a thing to be retained 171 Disposal of goods if there is no owner or owner cannot be located Division 10—Warrants 172 Monitoring warrants 173 Offence-related warrants 174 Offence-related warrants by telephone, telex, fax etc 175 Offences relating to warrants Division 11—Other matters 176 Part not to abrogate privilege against self-incrimination 177 Part does not limit power to impose conditions Part 12—Miscellaneous Division 1—Simplified outline 178 Simplified outline Division 2—Review of decisions 179 Meaning of terms 180 Notification of decisions and review rights 181 Internal review 182 Deadlines for making reviewable decisions 183 Review of decisions by South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal 183A Extended standing for judicial review 183B Interaction with Commonwealth law Division 3—Confidential commercial information 184 Application for protection of confidential commercial information 185 Regulator may declare that information is confidential commercial information 186 Revocation of declaration 187 Confidential commercial information must not be disclosed Division 4—Conduct by directors, employees and agents 188 Conduct by directors, employees and agents 189 Meaning of terms Division 5—Transitional provisions 190 Transitional provision—dealings covered by Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee advice to proceed 191 Regulations may relate to transitional matters Division 6—Other 192 False or misleading information or document 192A Interference with dealings with GMOs 192E Attempts to commit offences against Act 193 Regulations 194 Review of operation of Act Legislative history