The Government will unlock billions of dollars in investment and cut red tape for Australian Defence industry and our AUKUS partners, with the introduction of the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Bill 2023.

Under the legislation introduced today, Australia’s existing trade controls will be expanded to regulate the supply of controlled items and provision of services on the Defence and Strategic Goods List, ensuring our cutting-edge military technologies are protected.

Australia already regulates the supply of military and dual-use goods and technologies from Australia to foreign nationals and entities overseas. This legislation will extend existing controls to the supply of these items to foreign persons and entities within Australia, and between entities overseas.

Importantly, these significant reforms will also provide a national exemption for the trade of defence goods and technologies with the United States and United Kingdom, establishing a licence-free environment for Australian industry, research and science.

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Data breaches against Australian businesses and their customers are increasing in complexity, scale and impact.  In a country that is increasingly conducting business online, businesses have a responsibility to keep the personal data they collect from customers secure from unauthorised access, unauthorised disclosure, corruption and loss. As such, businesses should take appropriate steps to secure any personal information or data they hold.

In order to implement the below advice effectively, Australian organisations should first have a good understanding of their data and cyber security practices. In order to assist with this, ASD’s ACSC recommends that businesses use the free Exercise in a Box tool to self-assess their data and cyber security practices and identify any relevant areas of strength or weakness.