Biological Control Act 1984.

An Act to make provision for the biological control of pests. The Act consists of 57 sections divided into 8 Parts: Preliminary (I); Target Organisms (II); Agent Organisms (III); Special declarations of Target Organisms and Agent Organisms (IV); Release of Agent Organisms (V); Biological control under state laws (VI); Inquiries (VII); Miscellaneous (VIII).
Section 8 provides for the establishment of the Commonwealth Biological Control Authority. Organisms of a particular kind may be declared "Target Organisms" on the basis of a unanimous recommendation of the Authority or an application by any person made under section 13. Other sections of Part II deal with withdrawal of applications of Target Organisms, referral of application to the Agriculture and Resource Management Council, rejection of application, inquiries, declaration of Target Organisms. Subject to and in accordance with Part III, prescribed live organisms of a particular kind may be declared to be agent organisms for the purposes of this Act. Agent Organisms are live organisms of a particular kind, the release of which would result in the control of Target Organisms or organisms to which a target recommendation applies (sect. 22). Part IV provides for the declaration of organisms in emergency situations. Part V and VI authorize the release of declared Agent Organisms and prevent instituting of legal proceedings against the release of Agent Organisms. The Governor-General may make regulations prescribing all matters required or permitted by this Act or necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act (sect. 57).