the biosecurity bill and the inspector-general of biosecurity bill the australian government is developing new biosecurity legislation to replace the century-old quarantine act 1908. the new biosecurity legislation is expected to enable the australian government to continue to manage the risks that could arise from the entry establishment or spread of pests and diseases into australia and provide transparency and accountability - and promote good governance and procedural fairness. the new legislation is designed to deliver broader yet simpler provisions that provide flexible powers to efficiently and responsively manage biosecurity risks. it is designed to focus on responsive regulation enabling a system that intervenes where there is a biosecurity risk that needs to be managed and promotes effective cooperation between governments trading partners industry participants and the community. the draft legislation is comprised of the biosecurity bill and the inspector-general of biosecurity bill the bills . the following are some key aspects proposed in the draft bills - importers will experience more appropriate regulatory intervention with compliant importers subject to fewer inspections while higher risk activities and behaviours will attract increased interventions - australias appropriate level of protection will continue to be expressed as it currently is but will be enshrined in legislation for the first time - the legislation will explicitly outline the roles and responsibilities of the director of biosecurity and the minister clearly demonstrating that the political process does not interfere with science-based independent decision-making - new powers will allow the australian government to offer greater support to state and territory governments during critical incident pest and disease responses - stakeholders will be able to enter into approved arrangements to undertake certain biosecurity activities cooperatively the draft bills will also be supported by subordinate legislation such as regulations. the wto will be notified in due course when the draft subordinate legislation is released.