What measures are imposed as autonomous sanctions?
Examples of autonomous sanctions include:
- targeted financial sanctions: implemented under the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011(regulations 6, 14 and 15). Any person holding assets owned or controlled by designated persons or entities must freeze these assets (in other words they are prohibited from using or dealing with these assets without authorisation). In addition it is prohibited to directly or indirectly make an asset available to, or for the benefit of, a designated person or entity without authorisation.
- travel restrictions: implemented through a declaration by the Minister for Foreign Affairs that a person meets the criteria for a sanctions regime under regulation 6 of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011. Such a declaration will result in the Minister for Immigration, under the Migration Regulations 1994denying the issue of a new visa (Public Interest Criterion 4003(c)), or the cancellation of an existing visa (regulation 2.43(1)(aa)). For persons not declared by the Minister for Foreign Affairs under the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011, travel restrictions may be applied under the Migration Regulations 1994 on the basis that the presence in Australia of a particular visa applicant (Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4003(a)) or a particular visa holder (regulation 2.43) is or would be contrary to Australia's foreign policy interests.
- restrictions on public-provided financial assistance for trade or investment with a sanctioned country: implemented through directions issued by the Minister for Trade under section 9 of the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Act 1991, or a declaration under section 44 of the Export Market Development Grants Act 1997;
- embargoes on the supply of military or strategic (WMD dual use) goods: implemented under regulations 4 and 12 of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 and regulation 11 of the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958;
- suspension of non-humanitarian development assistance;
- suspension of Government-to-Government links.