Australia: Review of Defense Trade Controls Act reaches roundtable stage

The Australian government’s Department of Defence is holding a number of roundtables to discuss its review of the Defense Trade Controls Act 2012.
The Act introduced offences (from April 2016) for the unauthorised supply or publication of defence technology, and also for the brokering of defence goods and technology without a permit. It also contains provision for the effectiveness of the Act to be reviewed after April 2018.
The review, conducted by the former inspector-general of intelligence and security, Dr Vivienne Thom, considers whether the Act is ‘fit for purpose’, in particular ‘whether it adequately safeguards national defence capability and prevents trade and collaboration that could unwittingly advance the military capabilities of potential adversaries.’
The review also aims to ‘identify gaps in the Act’s controls’ and ‘any unintended consequences arising from the Act’, such as unnecessary regulatory burden.
The roundtables aim to discuss the progress of the review and industry submissions.

According to Defense Connect, roundtable discussions will be held on the following dates:

• Melbourne – Monday 13 August;
• Perth – Wednesday 22 August;
• Adelaide – Thursday 23 August; and
• Canberra – Tuesday 28 August.

Further details of the review of the Defense Trade Controls Act 2012 can be found here:
http://www.defence.gov.au/publications/reviews/tradecontrols/Default.asp