May 9, 2000

Federal Health Minister Dr Michael Wooldridge and Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Aged Care Senator Grant Tambling today welcomed the 2000-2001 Federal Budget announcement of a review of Australia's public health regulatory arrangements.

"It is a given that the community expects that the food they eat, the medicines they take and the products they use are safe and of a reasonable standard," Dr Wooldridge said.

"A Taskforce will be set up to work with Australian governments, industry and consumer groups to suggest ways to make public health regulation less cumbersome and more effective and accountable."

Issues associated with food, medicines, chemicals and gene technology regulation are currently spread over some 11 Commonwealth agencies in Australia.

"This project will provide the public and industry with cause for even greater confidence in public health by unravelling the web of regulation at the national level," Senator Tambling said.

Over the past 12 months the Federal Government has achieved a number of significant reforms in the area of therapeutic goods and chemicals regulation.

Currently, a number of Commonwealth government agencies are working on other specific health regulatory reforms. For example, Australian Commonwealth and State/Territory Governments are working towards a 'model food Act' and streamlined regulation for food. An office of the Gene Technology Regulator is also being established and reviews of blood regulation and drugs legislation are currently underway. The Taskforce aims to draw all these threads together.

"The Howard Government is keen to maintain the momentum for regulatory reform to enhance public health," Senator Tambling said.

"This initiative aims to maintain a high level of consumer confidence while striking the right balance between consumer and industry needs."

The Taskforce will comprise senior officials from a range of government agencies who will work cooperatively to come up with strategies for a better coordinated and more responsive regulatory framework.

Some of the agencies cooperating in this initiative include: the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA), Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Interim Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (IOGTR), the National Registration Authority for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (NRA), the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS), Environment Australia and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).

The Commonwealth Government has committed $1.5 million in 2000-2001 for this major initiative. The Taskforce will report back to Government by the end of 2000 with a range of options after consulting with industry, consumers and other spheres of government.

Company news release
N3647A