Signing the GIA Deed has legal and financial implications. For this reason, industry organisations who wish to sign the GIA Deed must first satisfy the responsible Minister that they meet the eligibility requirements. Industry organisations must meet five core requirements to be eligible to sign the GIA Deed.

The following sections provide industry organisations with information and guidance about the requirements for signing the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) for Biosecurity Readiness and Response Deed (the Deed). It has been prepared by the GIA Secretariat and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

It draws on legislation and experience to date so that industry organisations can have confidence they are following a process that will result in Ministerial approval. 

From experience to date of this process, key observations are as follows :

• The legislative requirements specify what industry organisation must consult on, but they do not preclude industry organisations using processes and methods that work best for their sector, provided they can also satisfy the Minister they meet the eligibility criteria
• While most Industry organisations will have implied mandate and existing processes for how  decisions are made and how members are represented, consultation on all three matters listed in s 100ZA(6) of the Biosecurity Act must still occur, and those questions must still be asked of members afresh in order to satisfy the criteria for becoming an approved organisation for the GIA. In particular, s 100ZA(6)(b) (the way in which the sector’s views will be represented during joint decision-making) must be consulted on with members during consultation for the GIA.
• Industry organisations must discuss eligibility with MPI as early as possible in the process, before any formal consultation is undertaken, and must keep in touch with MPI as their engagement with sector participants progresses. Even minor changes or additions to an application at a late stage can require additional consultation with members, so it is very important to have full and frank discussions throughout the consultation and application process, and to document these in writing.
• The process is necessary to protect sector participants and their nominated representatives, who may be called on to make decisions on readiness and response actions under the Deed that will bind the sector to action and investment.
• The process also helps industry organisations clarify with their sector the authority their representatives have to make decisions and to define the boundaries or limits of that authority.
• It is important that early on in the process industry confirm their internal processes and requirements to ensure they have the necessary authority to sign the Deed.

The full support pack for industry organisations considering signing the GIA Deed, is contained in the attachment below. It contains the same information you can find in this online guide.