Expert calls for Magnitsky sanctions to target research security

A security expert has called for the nation’s sanctions regime to be reformed to protect against threats to un research from overseas actors, labelling the government’s current approach ‘lamentable’.

‘Universities have been told to “harden” their posture against foreign interference and espionage, but have been given limited information on how best to do so,’ says Brendan Walker-Munro. Picture: iStock

A security expert has called for the nation’s sanctions regime to be reformed to protect against threats to university research from overseas actors, labelling the government’s approach to knowledge security “lamentable”.

Southern Cross University senior law lecturer Brendan Walker-Munro has urged a parliamentary committee reviewing the nation’s Magnitsky-style sanction legislation to bolster the Foreign Minister’s powers to “protect the Australian research ecosystem” from foreign interference and espionage.

The Magnitsky legislation, championed by late Labor senator Kimberley Kitching, empowered the Australian government to subject individuals and entities to travel bans and financial sanctions in response to human rights violations, serious corruption and breaches of international law.

Since the laws were introduced in December 2021, 122 thematic sanctions have been imposed, with 103 being human rights-related. The vast majority were ­Russian-related sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says.

In his submission to the inquiry, Dr Walker-Munro said the national security environment confronting Australia had “changed significantly” since the legislation was introduced, and universities would increasingly be targeted. “National security threats to our higher education institutions are not academic – they are happening now,” the submission said.

“Universities have been told to ‘harden’ their posture against foreign interference and espionage, but have been given limited information on how best to do so.

“Our students and academics are being threatened in Australia and abroad by agents posing as debt collectors and anti-corruption officers.”

Dr Walker-Munro has raised concerns about the security risk posed by collaborating with Tsinghua University in China because of its strategic co-operation with the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, which develops nuclear weapons.

Tsinghua University has about 65 research agreements with Australian universities.

Another Chinese institution, Beihang University, was also of concern to Dr Walker-Munro because of its specialist research on rockets, missile and stealth aircraft technology, though under the existing sanctions framework it does not meet criteria for action.

Dr Walker-Munro also flagged concerns about the Sharif University of Technology in Iran, which has associations with four Australian universities, because of its role in Tehran’s nuclear ­activities.

Activist Bill Browder, who has led the global Magnitsky sanctions movement, told the hearing on Wednesday that similar regulations were in place in 35 countries. “Magnitsky-style sanctions have become one of the most effective tools for fighting kleptocracy and human rights abuse around the world,” he said.