Universities Australia wishes to thank the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (the 'Committee') for the opportunity to present at the recent hearings of the Committee. As we mentioned in our evidence to the Committee, Universities Australia supports the broad policy goals of the Defence Trade Control Bill (2011)(the 'Bill') and is keen to ensure that, through appropriate legislative provisions, the intention for the regime to have a small and restricted impact on universities and free inquiry is realised.
Having further examined the issues raised by the Bill, Universities Australia remains of the view that the draft legislation requires amendment to remove unnecessary and unintended administrative, financial and academic burdens on the University sector.
To read Universities Australia's full response to the Questions on Notice of the Defence Trade Controls Bill, please see the attachments below.
