The Albanese Government has tabled in Parliament the review of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012 and the Government’s response to it.
A review of the Act is required under legislation every five years to ensure Australia’s export control regime remains fit for purpose, balancingappropriate safeguards with a rapidly evolving strategic environment.
Mr Peter Tesch, former Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence, and Professor Graeme Samuel AC, President of the National Competition Council, were appointed as independent co-leads to undertake the review. The independent co-leads undertook consultations with key stakeholders across government, industry and academia.
The review made 10 recommendations aimed at improving Australia’s export control regime, including streamlining processes, giving consideration to the penalty regime and improving outreach and education about the framework. The Government agrees with seven recommendations and agrees-in-principle with the remaining three recommendations.
The Government will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders, including industry and academia, to implement the review’s recommendations. The Government will implement the key recommendations alongside the forthcoming reforms to the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012.
