Universities weigh-in on the Defence Trade Controls Bill

Universities weigh-in on the Defence Trade Controls Bill

The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation (the Committee) has issued its long-awaited final report on the proposed Defence Trade Controls Bill 2011 (the Bill), which includes several recommendations for amendments to the draft Bill and a recommendation that the Bill, incorporating these amendments, be debated in the Senate and passed.

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U.S. Export Control Reform Update – what U.S. reforms will mean for Australian companies

U.S. Export Control Reform Update – what U.S. reforms will mean for Australian companies

Last month’s U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) annual update conference in Washington D.C. provided some valuable insights on the progress of U.S. export control reform, the outcome of which will directly affect Australian defence companies trading in U.S. military and dual use articles. In this blog post, I will highlight some of the

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Conducting compliance audits- how does your organisation measure up?

Conducting compliance audits- how does your organisation measure up?

You’ve just learned that on a recent business trip to Singapore, one of your engineers decided to take some components from the warehouse to use as visual aids in the presentation she was giving. The components are controlled under the DSGL and your company has clear procedures concerning the process for obtaining export permits and

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Essential Elements of an Effective Export Management and Compliance Program

Essential Elements of an Effective Export Management and Compliance Program

If your company exports controlled goods or engages in activities controlled under Australia’s export legislation, an effective Export Management and Compliance Program (EMCP) is essential to ensuring compliance and preventing inadvertent violations. Your EMCP serves two key purposes. First, it is a key tool for ensuring that employees understand your company’s compliance policy and the

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Freight forwarders debarred leaving the defence industry scrambling

Freight forwarders debarred leaving the defence industry scrambling

The U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust investigation of the freight forwarding industry has caught some big fish in recent years, and has consequently rattled the global defence industry. Six freight forwarding companies pleaded guilty to criminal price fixing charges in 2010 and have agreed to pay over $50 million USD in criminal fines for their

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The Defence Trade Controls Regulations: Can the Government make them user friendly?

The Defence Trade Controls Regulations: Can the Government make them user friendly?

The deadline for industry to submit comments on the proposed Defence Trade Controls Regulations was 17 February 2012. International Trade Advisors made a submission outlining our recommendations for additional revisions and guidance that would make becoming an Approved Australian Community Member more attractive to small and medium sized Australian companies. Our submission addressed the following

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One Step Closer to the Implementation of the U.S. – Australia Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty

One Step Closer to the Implementation of the U.S. – Australia Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty

On 22 November, the U.S. Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) published the proposed rule to implement the U.S. – Australia Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty. The proposed licensing exemptions for exports of ITAR controlled goods, data and technology have long been anticipated by affected Australian and U.S. companies.  Although the exemptions under

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