The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is the centrepiece of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. The NPT entered into force in 1970, and Australia ratified the treaty in 1973. The Treaty and the nuclear non-proliferation safeguards system provided through the IAEA make a crucial contribution to regional and international peace and security. The Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO) acts as Australia's national safeguards authority responsible for the performance of Australia's safeguards and non-proliferation obligations and for facilitating IAEA safeguards activities in Australia.
The NPT and the safeguards system has been successful overall in limiting the spread of nuclear weapons. The only states not to have joined the NPT are India, Israel and Pakistan. Successive Australian Governments have taken the view that the Treaty is vital to international stability and security, both globally and in our region.
Article VIII of the NPT provides that the Treaty be reviewed at five-yearly intervals. The primary objectives of Review Conferences are to assess developments since the previous conference, to address current challenges, and to identify areas for further progress. Australia has been an active and constructive participant in all NPT Review Conferences. The last Review Conference was held in New York in May 2010.
On 24 September 2009 the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed Resolution 1887. The resolution underlines that the NPT is the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, calls on all member states to comply fully with their obligations under the treaty, urges non-members to accede to the treaty and reinforces the right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
North Korea
North Korea presents a key challenge to the NPT regime. The DPRK's announcements in 1993 and in 2003 that it had withdrawn from the NPT have led to ongoing uncertainty about its status. Following a series of ballistic missile tests on 5 July 2006 and a nuclear test on 9 October 2006, both of which were condemned by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the UNSC unanimously adopted Resolutions 1695 and 1718 respectively. In response to North Korea's second nuclear test on 25 May 2009, the UNSC unanimously adopted Resolution 1874 in June which sent a clear and united signal from the international community that North Korea's actions were unacceptable.
The Australian Government has implemented the United Nations Security Council's trade and financial sanctions against North Korea into Australian law. All persons either having or considering business dealings in connection with North Korea should make themselves aware of the restrictions that apply to such dealings and seek independent legal advice, if required, before making commercial decisions.
For more information on North Korea, including the Six-Party Talks, see the DPRK country pages.
Iran
Iran presents another challenge to the NPT regime: the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly confirmed that it is unable to verify whether Iran's nuclear activities are exclusively peaceful. The UNSC has passed five resolutions against Iran: 1696, 1737, 1747, 1803, and 1929 imposed a progressive number of sanctions on Iran.
Relevant Australian legislation incorporates the United Nations Security Council's trade and financial sanctions against Iran. All persons having business dealings in connection with Iran should make themselves aware of the restrictions that apply to such dealings.
For more information on Iran, please see the Iran country pages.