Prohibition Of An Export Under The Weapons Of Mass Destruction Act

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28th May 2010, 06:05pm - Views: 666





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SENATOR JOHN FAULKNER

Minister for Defence




Friday, 28 May 2010

055/2010



PROHIBITION OF AN EXPORT UNDER THE WEAPONS

OF MASS DESTRUCTION ACT


The Minister for Defence has made a determination under section 14 of the

Weapons of Mass Destruction (Prevention of Proliferation) Act 1995 (WMD

Act) to prohibit an export of certain industrial items to an entity in Iran on the

basis that the items might be diverted for use in a WMD program. 


This determination was in accordance with advice from the Department of

Defence, and supported by the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and

Prime Minister and Cabinet. The determination is based on intelligence

information which cannot be disclosed. 


It is not appropriate to name the Australian company involved, but there is no

information suggesting any impropriety on the part of the company. The

company had been advised by the Department of Defence in early 2009 that

the goods were not controlled by the WMD Act, but that assessment was

subsequently revised, in light of further information.  Recognising this, the

Government is conscious of the economic impact of the decision and will be

consulting with the company about means of mitigating the impact of the

decision.


Australia shares with the international community profound concern about

Iran’s nuclear program.  The Australian Government remains deeply

concerned by Iran’s failure to comply with its international obligations and has

repeatedly called on Iran to cooperate fully with the International Atomic

Energy Agency (IAEA) and to abide by IAEA and United Nations Security

Council resolutions.


Australians considering commercial or other dealings with Iran are

encouraged to contact the Defence Export Control Office at

www.defence.gov.au/strategy/deco and seek independent legal advice before

making commercial decisions.


Media contacts:

Colin Campbell (John Faulkner):

02 6277 7600 or 0407 787 181

Defence Media Liaison:

02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664







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