Consultation workshops for Aboriginal people – biodiscovery legislation
Posted: August 30th, 2022
The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI) is developing biodiscovery legislation for WA and will be holding consultation workshops on the development of this legislation. The workshops will be held for Aboriginal people and representative bodies, in six regional locations and in Perth, during September and October.
Biodiscovery is research into genetic resources, such as native plants and animals, to extract components of value. The Biodiscovery Bill will set out processes to ensure that if traditional knowledge associated with a genetic resource has been shared with a researcher and will be used in biodiscovery for a commercial purpose, the benefits are shared with the Traditional Knowledge Holders on mutually agreed terms.
The purpose of the workshops is to ensure that Aboriginal people, and organisations that represent Aboriginal people, are given the opportunity to provide their views on definitions and key concepts that are being considered for inclusion in the Bill. This consultation paper outlines the issues to be discussed during the following workshops:
Kununurra | 2 September 2022: 9.00am – 3.00pm | Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language Centre |
Broome | 16 September 2022: 10.00am – 4.00pm | Liyan-ngan Nyirrwa Cultural Wellbeing Centre at Nyamba Buru Yawuru |
Karratha | 22 September 2022: 9.30am – 3.30pm | Pilbara Universities Centre |
Geraldton | 29 September 2022: 9.30am – 3.30pm | Fitzgerald Room, The Gerald Apartment Hotel |
Kalgoorlie | 11 October 2022: 9.30am – 3.30pm | Goldfields Art Centre |
Albany | 18 October 2022: 9.00am – 3.00pm | Kalyenup Studio, Albany Entertainment Centre |
Perth | 31 October 2022: 10.00am – 4.00pm | Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Conference Rooms |
Eligible participants can register for a workshop, or find more information about the Bill here.
If you are unable to attend a workshop in person or join remotely, there is still an opportunity to have a say by completing a survey that will soon be available on the biodiscovery webpage, by making a written submission or by contacting the Project Team.
Sitting fees are unable to be paid, but if support for traditional owners to travel to attend a workshop is required, contact the Project Team or telephone (08) 6277 3050 to discuss.