safety of people, and to protect the environment, by identifying risk posed by or as a result of gene technology, and by managing those risks through regulating certain dealings with GMOs. Section 27 of the act sets out the functions of the regulator to: perform functions in relation to GMO licences as set out in the act (Part 5), which outlines the licensing system under which a person can apply to the Regulator for a licence authorising dealings with GMOs develop draft policy principles and policy guidelines, as requested by the LGFGT codes of practice issue technical and procedural guidelines in relation to GMOs provide information and advice to other regulatory agencies, about GMOs and GM products the public, about the regulation of GMOs the Legislative Governance Forum on Gene Technology about the operations of the Regulator and the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee effectiveness of the legislative framework for the regulation of GMOs, including in relation to possible amendments of relevant legislation undertake or commission research in relation to risk assessment and the biosafety of GMOs promote the harmonisation by regulatory agencies of risk assessments relating to GMOs and GM products monitor international practice in relation to the regulation of GMOs maintain links with international organisations that deal with the regulation of gene technology and with agencies that regulate GMOs in countries outside Australia conduct other functions conferred by the Act, the Regulations or any other law, such as monitoring and enforcing the legislation reporting quarterly to the minister and Federal Parliament. Governance arrangements The Act and Regulations and corresponding state and territory laws provide a nationally consistent system to regulate development and use of gene technology in Australia. The legislation establishes the Regulator as an independent statutory office holder to administer the national scheme. Under the intergovernmental Gene Technology Agreement, the states and territories have committed to maintaining corresponding legislation with the Commonwealth. The Regulator is charged with performing functions and exercising powers under the Act and corresponding legislation. While the Regulator must consider risks to human health and safety and the environment relating to dealings with GMOs, other agencies have responsibility for regulating GMOs or genetically modified (GM) products as part of a broader or different mandate. During development of the gene technology legislation, it was determined that the Regulator's activities should form part of an integrated legislative framework that also includes a number of other regulatory