Jurgen ("Zac") Zacny has over 40 years’ experience with defence technology and this has proved to be a huge advantage during his nearly 10 years as the Australian export licensing authority for defence and strategic goods and technology (Defence Export Control Office - DECO).
He was responsible for managing the Australian export control licensing function which included activities such as:
- Processing export applications and issuing permissions;
- Assessing the control status of goods for export;
- Liaising and coordinating with other government agencies on export control issues;
- Developing and conducting outreach and training activities to both domestic and international “customers”, including for US Export Controls;
- Representing Australian interests at international export control forums and multi-national meetings; and
- Developing export control policy and government advice.
Jurgen also initiated and managed the benchmarking of the Australian export control agency, system and procedures which resulted in the review of extant legislation, organisation and procedures of the Defence agency. He was also instrumental in the negotiations and managed the progress, including the Implementing Arrangement and drafting of the required legislation, for the AS-US Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty.
Since 2009 Jurgen has worked on many special projects for international and Australian organisations including the design and development of a new trade control system for a Middle East country and developing new export control related documentation for domestic customers.
Jurgen was the academic convenor and lecturer for Strategic Export Controls, a 3-credit point subject offered in the Post Graduate degree of Master of International Customs Law and Administration with the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies at Sturt University.
In July 2013, Jurgen was engaged as the National Export Control Manager for Thales Australia. He was responsible for ensuring that all processes and procedures met the legislative requirements for import and export of controlled technology. He also developed and maintained the company’s policies relating to trade control and ensured all staff had the appropriate level of training. He also conducted training courses for the Thales Australia Export Control Officer (ECO) network and advised senior management (CEO and VPs) on any trade issues and breaches. He dealt on a daily basis with US Export Controls (both ITAR and EAR) and managed the technical function of trade controls. And finally, he trained and mentored a permanent National Export Control Office (NECO) to take over the role.
Jurgen is a Senior Consultant at International Trade Advisors. He is responsible for preparing and delivering export controls compliance training and is a trusted advisor to Australian industry on export control issues.
