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Growing political tensions are creating complexities that must be managed .
Prime Minister Scott Morrison discusses the bill at a press conference in Canberra . Photo : Sean Davey / NCA
National interest
Universities Australia in discussions with government over foreign relations bill .
By Wade Zaglas
Universities Australia ’ s chief executive Catriona Jackson says the peak body is in discussions with two government departments regarding the government ’ s proposed bill that will allow it to veto agreements between countries and a range of stakeholders – including universities .
“ We are in early discussions with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Education , Skills and Employment on the implications for universities of the Government ’ s proposed foreign relations legislation ,” she said .
“ It will be very important to discuss the exact definitions and scale of what the new laws are intended to capture .
“ Universities are equal partners with Government agencies in the Universities Foreign Interference Taskforce ( UFIT ), which has devised robust guidelines that build on measures to keep our institutions and intellectual property secure .”
Jackson also said it is “ critically important ” to get the balance right between research collaboration with other countries and national security in the interests of advancing knowledge , including the search for a COVID-19 vaccine .
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said : “ Protecting and promoting Australia ’ s national interest is the primary job of the federal government .
“ It is what Australians elect federal governments to do . And this has always been our primary focus for our government .”
The proposed legislation will enable foreign minister Marise Payne to cancel existing or future agreements with foreign governments and their entities that she determines to be inconsistent with Australia ’ s national interest .
Also , all jurisdictions , local councils and universities will have to inform the federal government prior to any agreement being entered into with a foreign government . The legislation also calls for a public register to be established , containing all current and future agreements with foreign governments .
Australia ’ s leading research-intensive universities – the Go8 – say the bill “ as it relates to universities … may lead to over regulation and could undermine the good work that has been undertaken between universities and the Government in this area to date ”.
“ The reality of research is that universities are public institutions based on the principle of open communication of research findings ,” they said .
“ The majority of our research and our partnerships is accessible via our own , or government databases , such as those run by the Australian Research Council and the NHMRC . Our published findings are shared with the world .
“ Our research is already subject to a range of existing government and legislative controls , such as the Defence Trade Controls Act , Foreign Influence Transparency Bill ( FITS bill ) and the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 .”
The Go8 said that it accepts that the country is living in unusual times and “ growing political tensions are creating complexities that must be managed ”.
“ At all times we must work in the national interest and we strongly support transparency and accountability ,” they said .
“ The Government has always been fully across and supportive that the Go8 builds very tall fences around small paddocks with ‘ secret , nationally sensitive research ’ only able to be worked on or accessed by those with security access .
“ Indeed , entire buildings have been built to express security requirements to keep this research secure and safe – as the Go8 wants , given the nation ’ s future and security is the top research priority for us .”
The Go8 also highlighted that they have been working in a “ truly collaborative way with Australia ’ s security agencies ” and the University Foreign Interference Taskforce ( UFIT ) to develop comprehensive and effective guidelines to counter foreign interference in the sector – “ a process that has been recognised internationally as world-leading ”.
“ All parties have worked extremely hard throughout the UFIT process to create a strong , cohesive , trusted process of engagement where the strength of the research sector can combine with the specialist knowledge and expertise of Government and the security agencies to protect critical national research ,” they concluded . ■
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