The Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has completed its examination on Defence’s implementation of the Defence Industry Security Program and management of non-compliance.

Media release issue date: Monday, 19 June 2023

The Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has completed its examination on Defence’s implementation of the Defence Industry Security Program and management of non-compliance. Defence Subcommittee Chair, Mr Julian Hill MP, said “National security imperatives require Defence to execute and enforce strict contractual obligations with defence industry. “The Auditor General’s Report No. 4 (2021-22) Defence’s Contract Administration – Defence Industry Security Program raised serious concerns regarding Defence’s implementation of the Defence Industry Security Program and management of non-compliance which is fundamental to assuring the security of Defence’s people, information, and assets. “The Committee has carefully considered Defence’s progress in implementing the six primary recommendations it committed to a year ago. “The Committee’s recommendations are designed to ensure the appropriate level of parliamentary oversight is imposed and maintained as Defence undertakes efforts to remediate deficiencies in the Defence Industry Security Program and commends this report to the Government”. The Committee recommended the Department of Defence: listen more carefully to industry concerns raised via this inquiry regarding the quality of DISP security training including for APS staff and embed a structured, transparent mechanism to ensure industry feedback directly informs continuous improvement to ensure training meets industry’s reasonable expectations. provide written advice to the Committee within six months of the tabling of this report detailing the implementation of the customer resource management and engagement system (CRM) system, how it assists with knowledge management and engagement with DISP entities, and its ability to recall accurate, auditable, and accessible data on DISP entities. implement systems which regulate and audit DISP compliance, and: Within six months of this report being tabled in Parliament, outline in writing to the Committee how all six recommendations of the ANAO in Auditor-General Report No. 4 of 2021-22 have been fully implemented, and any actions which remain outstanding Within twelve months of this report being tabled in Parliament, report back in writing to the Committee on its progress in further improving DISP related compliance and audit systems and provide reliable data estimates against a number of directed criteria which can be found in the report Further information in relation to the inquiry is available from the JSCFADT’s website. Media inquiries Patrick Lee, office of Julian Hill MP (Member for Bruce; Chair, Defence Sub-committee) Email: patrick.lee@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au

The Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will conduct a public hearing this Friday 9 December as part of its inquiry into the Auditor-General’s Report No.4 21/22 Defence’s Contract Administration Defence Industry Security Program.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 7 December 2022

The Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will conduct a public hearing this Friday 9 December as part of its inquiry into the Auditor-General’s Report No.4 21/22 Defence’s Contract Administration Defence Industry Security Program. Witnesses from the Australian Industry Group, and Defence contractors Babcock Australasia and Leidos Australia will appear along with the Australian National Audit Office and the Department of Defence to discuss Defence’s implementation of the Auditor-General’s recommendations and suggested improvements to the program. Chair of the Subcommittee, Mr Julian Hill MP, explained that “Ensuring security requirements are met right across the defence industry supply chain is of critical importance to Australia’s national security. The Auditor-General raised serious concerns and Parliament is right to expect greater assurance from Defence. This is important both for current activities and also to give maximum confidence to allies and partners regarding technology transfer and the security of Australia’s defence industrial base. “After assessing submissions from Industry and Defence, now is the time to publicly examine in depth the extant of Defence’s progress on reform of the DISP and to hear firsthand from Defence Industry of their experiences in the program.” Public hearing details Date: Friday 9 December Time: 9.15 am – 12.00 pm AEDT Location: Committee Room 1R3 and via teleconference The hearings will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Phillip Danh, office of Julian Hill, MP (Member for Bruce; Chair, Defence Sub-committee) Ph: 0469 646 998 For background information Committee Secretariat Ph: 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade is conducting a new inquiry, focussing on important aspects of the Auditor General’s Report No. 4 (2021-22) Defence’s Contract Administration – Defence Industry Security Program (DISP).

Media release issue date: Friday, 16 September 2022

The Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade is conducting a new inquiry, focussing on important aspects of the Auditor General’s Report No. 4 (2021-22) Defence’s Contract Administration – Defence Industry Security Program (DISP). Chair of the Subcommittee, Mr Julian Hill MP, explained that “the committee has decided to exercise its oversight powers and conduct a public review of the Department of Defence’s compliance with the Auditor-General’s recommendations in relation to the Defence Industry Security Program. “National security imperatives require Defence to execute and enforce strict contractual obligations with defence industry. “The Auditor-General raised serious concerns regarding Defence’s implementation of the Defence Industry Security Program and management of non-compliance which is fundamental to assuring the security of Defence’s people, information and assets. “Defence had not established fit for purpose arrangements to monitor compliance with contracted DISP requirements. “The Committee will examine Defence’s progress in implementing the six primary recommendations it committed to a year ago.” The Subcommittee is now inviting written submissions, by 4 November 2022. Media inquiries Phillip Danh, office of Julian Hill, MP (Member for Bruce; Chair, Defence Sub-committee) Ph: 0469 646 998 For background information Committee Secretariat Ph: 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.