David Feeney (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

The longer answer—the shorter one having failed, Senator—is this defence trade treaty was signed in 2007. As you are aware, the draft bill was released for public consultation on 15 July 2011. The bill was then introduced into the parliament on 2 November 2011 and has undergone detailed consideration by the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee. After two public hearings and considering some 31 submissions, the committee has now reported on the bill. The United States ratification process for the treaty was effected some two years ago by September 2010. And, given the significant parliamentary scrutiny and consultation, including the roundtable process which, as you know, was chaired by Australia's Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb AC, it was the government's view that it was appropriate that the legislative process should be completed as quickly as practicable.