Minister for Defence Stephen Smith, Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare and Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon today announced the appointment of Mr Ken Peacock AM and Chief Defence Scientist Dr Alex Zelinsky to conduct further consultations on the Defence Trade Controls Bill 2011, including with the University and research sector.

Mr Peacock chaired the Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty Industry Advisory Panel that supported the development of the Bill. He is a former Member of Council at the Australian War Memorial and former Executive Chairman, Boeing Australia Limited.

Dr Zelinsky was previously Group Executive for Information Sciences at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Professor of Systems Engineering at the Australian National University, academic at the University of Wollongong. He started his career as a Systems Engineer with BHP Steel International.

The Government thanks the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee for its Preliminary Report into the Bill, tabled in the Senate on 15 August. The Preliminary Report recognises the importance of the legislation and the general support for the intention of the Bill. 

The Committee recommended Defence conduct further consultation with the University and research sector on the impact of intangible transfer reforms for scientific research. The Government has asked Dr Zelinsky and Mr Peacock to conduct further consultations to help inform Government and Senate consideration of the implementation of strengthened export controls.

The Bill, currently before the Senate, gives effect to the Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty between Australia and the United States and strengthens Australia’s export controls to align them with international best practice.

The Treaty removes the requirement for companies to seek individual licences for each export from the United States, allowing for the licence-free movement of eligible defence articles within an Approved Community.  For companies that join the Approved Community, this will save time and money. 

Media Contacts:
Mr Smith’s Office – Sacha Fenton: (02) 6277 7800, 0467 784 528
Mr Clare’s Office – Annie Williams:  (02) 6277 7290, 0428 040 522
Mr Snowdon’s Office – Marcus Butler: (02) 6277 7290, 0417 917 796