David Feeney (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

The permits are only for transfer overseas. They are not required for research conducted domestically within Australia. The inclusion of a fundamental research exemption was raised during the consultation process and it was discussed at length during the roundtable meetings chaired by Australia's Chief Scientist. The roundtable meetings recognised that not all research involving controlled technology will involve the level of detail that would require a permit. The agreed outcomes recognised that some research might involve the transfer of sensitive technology, and that should not be exempted from legislation.

The agreed outcomes instead proposed an implementation model which reduces the need to interact with government agencies on the legislative regime. This is specifically captured in the Chief Scientist's agreed outcomes as a model to be tested as part of the pilot. This model, to be tested during the transition period, involves academic institutions and a supplement to the Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research. It enables institutions to access technology and to determine when a permit might be required. The steering group will report to parliament on the effectiveness of this model. There will be an opportunity to amend the legislation based on the steering group report.

Our position, Senator, is that the regime proposed by the government is less onerous than that that applies in the United States. It is a model that is found in one bill and does not involve the miscellany of legislation and agencies that it does in the United States. The proposed framework of the government is going to be put through a transition period in which this parliament obviously ultimately has the final say. All of these things should give you comfort that the concerns that gave rise to your amendment are being adequately catered for.

The CHAIRMAN: The question is that opposition amendment on sheet 7296 moved by Senator Johnston be agreed to.