GENE TECH BILL UPDATE: Select Committee report released moving the Bill to the next stage

GENE TECHNOLOGY BILL UPDATE

After months of waiting, the Health Select Committee has released its report on the Gene Technology Bill, recommending that the Bill be passed.

However, this recommendation is not final. The Committee’s role is to review the Bill, consider public submissions, and suggest amendments. It’s now up to Parliament to decide whether to accept those changes and whether the Bill should progress.

At its Second Reading, MPs will debate the Bill and vote on whether it moves forward. If the vote is lost, the Bill goes no further.

At a glance, OANZ does not support the recommendations in the Committee’s report. The report fails to include necessary protections for the environment and the health of our people, and we will be raising these concerns in our advocacy to all political parties.

OANZ is now reviewing the report with our expert advisors and will share a full analysis and next steps next week.