EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1984 NO. 35
Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations (Amendment)
Issued by the Authority of the Minister for Industry and Commerce
Sub-regulation 11 (2) of the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations (‘the Regulations’) provides that the exportation from Australia of the goods specified in the Ninth Schedule to the Regulations is prohibited unless an approval in writing to the exportation of the goods issued by the Minister of State for Trade or by an authorized officer is produced to the Collector.
The purpose of the regulation is to amend the Ninth Schedule to the Regulations at the request of the Minister for Trade to include flash discharge x-ray units.
Australia, like most other industrial countries, has export controls regulating its international nuclear trade. This amendment to the Ninth Schedule reflects the Government’s commitment to an effective non-proliferation regime.
While the Australian industry might not be capable of producing the flash discharge x-ray units, they may be imported for sale. It is therefore possible for these units to be re-exported to third countries without Government knowledge or control.
The addition of flash discharge x-ray units to the Ninth Schedule to the Regulations will allow export control of this item consistent with Australia’s non-proliferation objectives.