Biosecurity Act 2015

During a biosecurity emergency period, the Agriculture Minister may, in writing, delegate to the executive head of a national response agency any or all of the functions or powers of the Minister under:

section 445 (determining emergency requirements); or

section 446 (emergency directions and actions), other than the power to give a direction of a kind referred to in paragraph 446(2)(h) or (i) (directions to Commonwealth officials); or

section 450 (asking questions); or

section 451 (requiring documents).

The functions and powers referred to in paragraphs (1)(b) to (d) may be subdelegated (see section 454).

See also sections 34AA and 34AB of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

In performing functions or exercising powers under a delegation made under subsection (1), the delegate must comply with any directions of the Agriculture Minister.