Senate debates Bills

Defence Amendment (Safeguarding Australia's Military Secrets) Bill 2024, Defence Trade Controls Amendment Bill 2024; In Committee


David Shoebridge

David Shoebridge NSW, Australian Greens

6:28 pm

Minister, noting that we have a collective interest in getting this done rapidly, could I ask you to focus on this and provide an actual answer? When the definition of 'fundamental research' talks about 'restrictions on disclosure, however imposed', what do you mean by 'however imposed'? Does it mean by law, by regulation, by policy or by vibe? What does 'however imposed' mean?

Tim Ayres

Tim Ayres NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade

6:29 pm

It is by a foreign government who notifies them upfront verbally or in writing

David Shoebridge

David Shoebridge NSW, Australian Greens

Is that solely by a foreign government?

Tim Ayres

Tim Ayres NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade

Or a private company—I suppose we would say 'a foreign entity'.

Bills agreed to.

Bills reported without amendment; report adopted.