New Biosecurity laws a win for weed control

Media Release, 29 June 2007

Greens MLC Giz Watson has welcomed the passage of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act through the State Parliament.

"This Act gives greater recognition to environmental weeds and pests and improves control measures.

"I was pleased that the Government has accepted a number of amendments to improve the Bill," Ms Watson said.

The changes accepted by the Government included:

• Improved powers for local governments to regulate weeds that have an environmental impact
• Improved powers to impose controls on plant nurseries, which are the main source of weeds
• Stricter requirements for the reporting of breaches of the Act by government departments
• Removing the State Government's exemption from liability for the negligence of public officials.