South Australia’s Defence Teaming Centre is calling on SA’s defence industry to comment on the Australian Senate inquiry into the Defence Trade Controls Bill 2011.

“The bill, which would give effect to the Australia-US Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty, seeks to introduce measures to govern the creation and regulation of an 'approved community' of defence companies, which would eliminate the need to obtain export licenses for every export/import of ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) controlled goods,” DTC states.

“Membership of the 'trusted community,' which will involve security measures and inspections, is voluntary. The regulations will also affect brokers of defence goods and freight forwarding companies.

“Supporters of the bill say the changes will make it easier for businesses to work with American companies by reducing the hassle of applying continuously for export licenses, whilst critics contend that the bill favours American companies and creates a 'red tape' impost on companies.”

The DTC is preparing its own response to the Senate on this issue and seeks members’ views to create an industry aggregate response.

DTC is particularly interested in answers to the following questions:

1. Will the introduction of the bill and the subsequent changes positiveley or negatively affect your business?
2. Will the security requirements needed as a member of the 'trusted community' impose an extra cost on your business?
3. Does the creation of a 'trusted community' address some of your concerns with the ITAR system?

Send answers to these questions plus any additional comments to stuart.hodge@dtc.org.au by 19 January.
 

Updated 17 Jan 2012