Biosecurity Act 2015

The Governor‑General may vary a biosecurity emergency declaration to extend the biosecurity emergency period for up to 3 months if the Agriculture Minister is satisfied that:

the declaration disease or pest is continuing to pose a severe and immediate threat, or is continuing to cause harm, to any of the following on a nationally significant scale:

animal or plant health;

the environment;

economic activities related to animals, plants or the environment; and

the extension is necessary to prevent or control the establishment or spread of the declaration disease or pest in Australian territory or a part of Australian territory.

A variation made under subsection (1) is a legislative instrument, but section 42 (disallowance) of the Legislation Act 2003 does not apply to the variation.

The Governor‑General may extend a biosecurity emergency period under subsection (1) more than once.