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.