The Australian government has come under fire for its lackluster sanctions enforcement against Iranian targets. This was brought to a head after a recent incident involving Western Sydney University. Senator Dave Sharma expressed alarm about the university’s adherence to sanctions. This occurred shortly after a public event with Fatima Payman, an independent senator who subsequently issued an apology for her interview with PressTV, an Iranian state-run media outlet. This controversy underlines the complicated nature of Australia’s sanctions policy, especially when it comes to the individual compliance issues at stake.
In September 2023, Australia finally acted by sanctioning PressTV with targeted financial sanctions. They took this action because PressTV aired coerced confessions and participated in the repression of people in Iran, particularly women and girls. Following this, the Albanese government has taken a more hardline stance on sanctions. Its predecessor did nothing to strengthen restrictions on Iran over the extensive nine-year duration of its rule. The current administration has provided $26.4 million to strengthen sanctions enforcement. These programmatic dollars are sorely needed to boost monitoring and compliance mechanisms.
The sanctions laws in Australia prohibit all citizens and corporations from providing assets to individuals or entities designated for financial sanctions. Sharma shared concerns over the potential enforcement of these sanctions. She made those concerns known in particular, since the university was home to an event related to PressTV.
Government’s Position on Sanctions
A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong pointed to the government’s pledge to strengthen Australia’s sanctions framework as part of its election commitments. The joint statement stressed the need for strong administration and enforcement of the current laws.
“We have strengthened Australia’s sanctions framework to support robust administration and compliance. We are investing $26.4 million in greater monitoring and enforcement of Australia’s sanctions.” – A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong
The spokesperson stressed that this has long been practice among successive Australian governments. They, of course, do not provide statements on individual sanctions compliance issues. This position was echoed in response to Sharma’s inquiries about Western Sydney University’s role in the event.
“It is the longstanding practice of successive Australian governments not to comment on individual sanctions compliance matters.” – A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong
The spokesperson underlined a major motive for the sanctions imposed on PressTV. They were necessary, not just because the broadcaster clearly and directly suppresses rights in Iran.
“We imposed targeted financial sanctions against Press TV on 13 September 2023 due to its role in the oppression of people in Iran, including women and girls. In nine long years of government, the Coalition did not impose one new sanction on Iran.” – A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong
Concerns Raised by Senator Sharma
Regardless of Senate privileges, Sharma is absolutely right to question the legitimacy of such a commercial operation in Australia. This ongoing action is linked to a U.S.-sanctioned entity. He also asked how it could be allowed by Western Sydney University to reach such an agreement. He highlighted that sanctions should actually work to prevent identified entities from being able to do business.
“So, how a commercial enterprise with employment arrangements and contractual arrangements could be allowed to function when it’s a sanctioned entity — it doesn’t seem plausible.” – Dave Sharma
Sharma’s own view was that punishing the university for allowing the incident to occur may have been a misstep, comparing it to “shooting the messenger.” His comments, however, display an increasing public and political concern about clarity and discretion within the sanctions regime.
“Reprimanding Western Sydney University seems a little like shooting the messenger, to me.” – Dave Sharma
The Response from Officials
In light of Sharma’s statements, officials have pushed back against his interpretation of Australia’s sanctions regime. A spokesperson for Wong called Sharma’s grasp of the issues shallow.
“Senator Sharma displays a profound lack of understanding of Australia’s sanctions regime.” – A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong
As the conversation and discourse progresses, it is clear that Australia’s sanctions framework is developing, with design for enhanced compliance and enforcement in mind. At stake are the government’s interests in protecting our freedoms while protecting our national security, especially against foreign actors tied to autocratic governments.
