Defence has begun consultation with industry on the implementation of the historic Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty with the US on Wednesday 1 December.
The Treaty will be a great opportunity for Australian industry to increase trade in defence products and technology with US industry, and will greatly assist the Australian Defence Force in developing its technological and capability edge into the 21st Century.
The Government will introduce legislation into the Parliament in the new year to implement the Treaty.
This legislation will also include proposals to strengthen the current system of Defence export controls.
Defence consultation with industry on the Treaty implementation will occur in three stages over the next 12 months.
This process will enable industry to provide maximum feedback to Government on how the Treaty implementation will affect their organisations and internal processes.
Phase one consultation will inform industry of the expected policy and administrative changes arising from the implementation of the Treaty.
Phases two and three will allow Australian industry to comment on and shape the final implementation of the Treaty in late 2011.
Phase one began on 1 December with a public meeting at Olims Hotel in Canberra.
Further public meetings will be held in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Townsville and Newcastle in early December.
This consultation phase will also seek industry’s views on proposed changes to Australia’s Defence export controls.
These changes will further strengthen Australia’s export controls and support regional security.
Details on the meetings are available from: http://www.defence.gov.au/strategy/deco/usec/treaty.htm
Defence has also announced the appointment of Ken Peacock to facilitate industry consultation.