Australian Immigration Daily News

Australia's biosecurity system is a critically important national asset. It protects Australia's diverse and pristine natural wonders, and underpins agricultural production and export. As such, it is critical that vigilance is maintained in protecting Australia from an ever-increasing number of pests and diseases that threaten an array of industries, and Australia's unique flora and fauna.

Despite extensive information campaigns, and a simple process where incoming passengers and crew can easily declare goods for assessment by biosecurity officers, hundreds of undeclared high risk items are detected every year.

The risk to Australia must be mitigated. The proposed measures included in this bill will highlight to incoming travellers how serious biosecurity is and would introduce sensible and important changes to help protect Australia from biosecurity risks.

The committee supports the bill and its important purpose. The implementation of a proportionate compliance response to serious biosecurity risks will also help to act as a deterrent to future possible breaches.

Source: Biosecurity-Amendment-Traveller-Declarations-and-Other-Measures-Bill-2020.pdf