Unis welcome defence control reprieve

Australian universities are relieved parliament has given them an extra year to work out how to cope with tougher rules on projects involving defence and strategic technologies.

The Defence Trade Control Act, passed in 2013, forces some organisations dealing with products like nuclear material, micro-organisms and high-end computers to apply for permits to continue to do so.

This included universities and research centres, who faced penalties of up to 10 years in jail for sending information overseas and publishing details of certain technologies.

Exemptions for researchers and businesses were initially granted for two years, and extended in parliament on Wednesday for a further year.

Universities Australia says that is necessary to develop a practical compliance process.

The initial act was designed to regulate the export of weapons as part of an international effort to stop the proliferation of weapons.