Gene Technology Act 2000

The Ministerial Council may, by legislative instrument, issue policy principles in relation to the following:

ethical issues relating to dealings with GMOs;

recognising areas, if any, designated under State law for the purpose of preserving the identity of one or both of the following:

GM crops;

non‑GM crops;

matters relating to dealings with GMOs prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.

Section 57 provides that the Regulator must not issue a licence if to do so would be inconsistent with a policy principle.

Subsection 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 confers power to revoke or amend an instrument issued under an Act.

Before issuing a policy principle, the Ministerial Council must be satisfied that the policy principle was developed in accordance with section 22.

Regulations for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) may relate to matters other than the health and safety of people or the environment, but must not derogate from the health and safety of people or the environment.