2009 Budget - New R&D Tax Credit - 13 May 2009
The Government yesterday announced a major change to the taxation of Research and development (R&D) expenditure in its 2009 Federal Budget. Broadly, the announcement concerned the introduction of a new R&D Tax Credit to replace the existing R&D Tax Concessions with effect from 1 July 2010.
2009 Defence White Paper released - 4 May 2009
The Minister for Defence has today released the 2009 Defence White Paper, entitled “Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030”.
"Mortimer Review" of DMO released - 24 September 2008
Commissioned by the Government in May, Mr David Mortimer's review of Defence Procurement and Sustainment is complete and has reported to Defence.
Australia’s National Innovation Report- Key Points for Corporate Counsel - 11 September 2008
On 9 September 2008, the Federal Government released a major report on Australia’s National Innovation System. The Report was prepared by a panel chaired by Dr Terry Cutler, which included respected economists and research industry experts. This Alert identifies the specific key recommendations and issues raised by the Report which would have a legal impact on major corporations.
Update to the Defence Procurement Policy Manual - August 2008
On 8 August DMO released an update to the Defence Procurement Policy Manual. The current version (v. 6.4) can be found at DMO's website.
Commonwealth Auditor-General - access and disclosure clauses in Defence Contracts - 18 July 2008
Defence contracts tend to contain clauses imposing access and disclosure requirements that can cause a level of anxiety for suppliers looking to protect their confidential information. This Defence client publication aims to equip clients with an awareness of the Commonwealth’s legislative and policy requirements in this area, so that they can negotiate access and disclosure clauses that address the Commonwealth’s legitimate needs without putting their confidential information at undue risk.
Doing Defence Business in Australia - 5th Edition
This publication provides an overview of the legal and bureaucratic framework governing defence contracting in Australia. Now in its 5th edition, updated in April 2008.
Defence client alert - 27 February 2008
Following soon after the change in the Federal Government (refer to Australia’s New Defence Ministers - 30 November 2007), the new Minister for Defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, announced on 22 February 2008 that he has commissioned a new Defence White Paper.
Australia's New Defence Ministers - 30 November 2007
Australia’s Prime Minister elect, Kevin Rudd, yesterday announced his new Cabinet and executive team, including an expanded team of Ministers and parliamentary secretaries overseeing the Defence portfolio.
Defence annual report 2006/2007 - 31 October 2007
The Department of Defence and the Defence Materiel Organisation released their annual reports on 31 October 2007. They can be accessed here.
Australia - United States Treaty on Defence Trade Co-operation - 26 October 2007
On September 5th, President George W. Bush and Prime Minister John Howard signed the Australia-United States Treaty on Defence Trade Cooperation in Sydney
Defence Update - July 2007
On 5 July 2007, Prime Minister John Howard launched a major national security review at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Global Forces 2007 conference. The review, 'Australia’s National Security: A Defence Update 2007', sets out Australia’s strategic outlook and defence policy, and provides an update on defence operations, capabilities and resources.
The update can be viewed at the following link:
http://www.defence.gov.au/ans/2007/contents.htm
Ministerial Release announcing publication of the review:
http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/NelsonMintpl.cfm?CurrentId=6826
International Trade Integrity Bill 2007 - 29 June 2007
Following the highly publicised report of the Cole Inquiry into the activities of a number of high profile Australian companies in relation to the UN Oil-For-Food Programme , the Australian Government is taking measures to strengthen Australian laws regarding compliance with United Nations Security Council sanctions.
Australian Department of Defence releases exposure drafts of revised contracting templates - 23 January 2007
In October 2006, the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) released Exposure Drafts of the new defence contracting templates developed under the auspices of the Procurement Improvement Program (PIP). DMO called for industry comment by 12 February 2007. DMO is now considering input received and has indicated this may take some months.
