Phase 2 of engagement for development of the WA Biodiscovery Bill has wrapped up with a final information session in Perth.
What is the WA Biodiscovery Bill?
The WA Biodiscovery Bill is being developed to regulate biodiscovery activities using WA genetic resources such as native flora and fauna.
The Bill will ensure the State shares in benefits from commercialisation when WA genetic resources are used in biodiscovery activities. It will also ensure that Aboriginal people will share in the benefits when their traditional knowledge of native plants and animals is shared with researchers and used in commercial biodiscovery activities.
Development of the Bill
During the first phase of engagement on the Biodiscovery Bill in 2022, workshops were held across the State with Aboriginal people, representative organisations and industry stakeholders.
In the second phase of engagement, two roundtable meetings were held with invited participants representing all stakeholder groups to test and refine a proposal for how the Bill could work.
This proposal was then shared with all stakeholders for feedback through a series of 7 information sessions across Broome, Kununurra, Albany, Port Hedland, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton and Perth.
The sessions were attended by a wide range of participants including representatives from Aboriginal corporations, organisations and councils, universities, research institutes, businesses, and Government. Jessica Shaw MLA, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier; Minister for Science, also attended.
The information sessions were facilitated by Roanna Edwards from PricewaterhouseCoopers Indigenous Consulting. Graham Castledine from Castledine Gregory Law and Mediation was also attended and, provided support following his involvement as the facilitator from the first phase of engagement.
Participants at the information sessions discussed the findings and recommendations from the first phase of engagement, as well as draft definitions for key concepts, a proposed mechanism for identifying Traditional Knowledge Custodians and the handling of traditional knowledge that is already in the public domain.
A proposed model for how the Bill could work in practice was tested and a series of scenarios were worked through.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in this second phase of engagement by coming along to one of the two roundtable meetings or seven information sessions. The discussions were robust and informative, and your valuable input and feedback will help shape how the Bill is further developed.
Next Steps
A third phase of engagement to develop a Traditional Knowledge Code of Practice or its equivalent is being planned. Watch this space for further information on how you can participate in discussions on the Code.
For further information on the Bill, visit the Biodiscovery Bill for Western Australia webpage.
