Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I would say to you, Senator Van, that obviously I have seen public reporting of the settlement to which you refer. I would make the point that this is a settlement between the US government and RTX. This is a matter for the US government, and we're not in a position to comment on the details of that settlement. I can say that the advice I have is that Defence works across government and cooperates with partners, including the United States, to regulate the export and supply of goods and technology controlled on the Defence and Strategic Goods List. Defence has referred the matter to the Australian Border Force for investigation. Obviously, I'm not in a position to comment in any detail on that matter. I can say that Australia has a stringent export control framework which is designed to prevent the irresponsible or illicit trade of military and dual-use items.