We previously discussed the Ukraine-related sanctions measures
in Australia on February 23, February 25, March 1, March 15, March 18 and March 25.
This update covers developments to Australia's sanctions
laws throughout April and May 2022 including:
- the extension of Australia's autonomous sanctions to
certain luxury goods exported to Russia and the designation of
additional entities and individuals; and
- the listing of 4 additional entities under the
counter-terrorism financing sanctions regime in the Charter of
the United Nations Act 1945.
Export ban on luxury goods
On 4 April 2022, the Australian Government introduced a ban on
the export of luxury goods to Russia.1 This includes certain food
products, such as crustaceans, caviar, truffles and wine of any
value. It also includes luxury perfumes, leather goods, furs,
clothing, jewellery, watches, tableware and casino games exceeding
$500 per unit. Precious metals, pure-bred horses, luxury vehicles
(for land, air and sea transportation) and vehicle parts are also
included in the list of luxury goods.
Australian Foreign Minister, Marise Payne, stated the
designations were being undertaken 'in coordination with key
partners' and aim to target 'Russian elites' including
'President Putin and his wealthy enablers, not ordinary Russian
consumers.'2
These designations took effect on 7 April 2022.
Further designated persons and entities
Australia has designated a number of additional entities and
individuals in recent months under its Autonomous sanctions
regime.
Designating Instrument and Date |
Summary of Designation |
Instrument: Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and
Entities and Declared Persons—Russia and Ukraine) Amendment
(No. 11) Instrument 2022.
Date of Announcement: 7 April 2022
Date of effect: 8 April 2022
|
- 6 persons deemed "responsible for, or complicit in, the
threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Ukraine".3
- 61 persons who "are, or have been, engaging in activity or
performing a function that is of economic or strategic significance
to Russia, are a current or former Minister or senior official of
the Russian Government, or are an immediate family member of such
persons".4
|
Instrument: Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and
Entities and Declared Persons – Russia and Ukraine) Amendment
(No. 12) Instrument 2022.
Date of Announcement: 13 April 2022
Date of effect: 14 April 2022
|
- 14 Russian state-owned enterprises which "operate in
important sectors that align with Russia's strategic
priorities" to "undermine their capacity to boost the
Russian economy".5 The entities included transportation
companies (Kamaz and Russian Railways), shipping companies (SEVMASH
and United Shipbuilding Corporation) and an electronic component
company (Ruselectronics).6
|
Instrument: Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and
Entities and Declared Persons – Russia and Ukraine) Amendment
(No. 13) Instrument 2022.
Date of Announcement: 21 April 2022
Date of effect: 22 April 2022
|
- 144 Russian senators who approved "the illegitimate
recognition of independence of the Ukranian regions of Donetsk and
Luhansk".7
- the daughters of President Putin, and the daughter of Foreign
Minister Lavrov,8 as individuals who have
"benefitted from the Russian regime".9
|
Instrument(s):
Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and
Entities and Declared Persons – Russia and Ukraine) Amendment
(No. 14) Instrument 2022.
Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and
Entities and Declared Persons – Russia and Ukraine) Amendment
(No. 15) Instrument 2022.
Date of Announcement: 3 May 2022
Date of effect: 4 May 2022
|
- 34 senior members of the Russian-led movements in the Donetsk
and Luhansk regions for their violation of "the sovereignty
and territorial integrity of Ukraine".10
- a further 76 members of the State Duma, some of whom voted in
favour of recognising Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states,
and in favour of ratifying "treaties on friendship,
cooperation, and mutual assistance" between the Russian
Federation and the "People's
Republics".11
|
Instrument(s):
Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and
Entities and Declared Persons – Russia and Ukraine) Amendment
(No. 16) Instrument 2022.
Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and
Entities and Declared Persons – Russia and Ukraine) Amendment
(No. 17) Instrument 2022.
Date of Announcement: 17 May 2022
Date of effect: 18 May 2022
|
- 4 individuals and 3 entities for their involvement in
Russia's invasion of Ukraine for threatening "the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Ukraine".12
- The individuals are all senior officials of the Russian
Government.13
- The entities include the Private Military Company
"Wagner" and two Belarusian defence enterprises which
produce equipment used by the armed forces14 – the
Industrial-Commercia Private Unitary Enterprise Minotor Service and
the OJSC KB Radar-Managing Company of Radar Systems
Holding.15
- 11 individuals and 12 entities for their involvement in
Russia's "disinformation and propaganda
efforts".16
|
As at 18 May 2022, the Australian Government has now sanctioned
over 820 individuals and over 60 entities in response to
Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The updated Consolidated List can be found on the website of the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade here.
Designations under the Charter of the United Nations (Listed
Entities) Amendment (No 2) Instrument
On 17 May 2022, 4 entities were listed under the
counter-terrorism financing sanctions regime in Part 4 of the
Charter of the United Nations Act 194517 to give effect to
the decision of the United Nations Security Council. These entities
are The Base, the National Socialist Order, the Sonnenkrieg
Division, and the Russian Imperial Movement.18
The listing of these entities under the regime took effect on 18
May 2022.
Footnotes
1. Autonomous Sanctions (Export Sanctioned
Goods—Russia) Amendment (No.1) Designation
2022.
2. Marise Payne, "Luxury Exports Ban to
Russia" (Media Release, 5 April 2022).
3. Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and
Entities and Declared Persons—Russia and Ukraine) Amendment
(No. 11) Instrument 2022 – Explanatory
Statement.
4. Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and
Entities and Declared Persons—Russia and Ukraine) Amendment
(No. 11) Instrument 2022 – Explanatory
Statement.
5. Marise Payne, "Additional sanctions on
Russian state-owned enterprises" (Media Release, 14 April
2022).
6. Marise Payne, "Additional sanctions on
Russian state-owned enterprises" (Media Release, 14 April
2022).
7. Marise Payne, "Additional Sanctions on
Russia" (Media Release, 22 April 2022).
8. Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and
Entities and Declared Persons – Russia and Ukraine) Amendment
(No. 13) Instrument 2022 – Explanatory
Statement.
9. Marise Payne, "Additional Sanctions on
Russia" (Media Release, 22 April 2022).
10. Marise Payne, "Additional Sanctions in
Response to Russia's Invasion" (Media Release, 4 May
2022).
11. Marise Payne, "Additional Sanctions in
Response to Russia's Invasion" (Media Release, 4 May
2022).
12. Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and
Entities and Declared Persons – Russia and Ukraine) Amendment
(No. 16) Instrument 2022 – Explanatory
Statement.
13. Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and
Entities and Declared Persons – Russia and Ukraine) Amendment
(No. 16) Instrument 2022 – Explanatory
Statement.
14. Marise Payne, "Further Russia and Belarus
Sanctions" (Media Release, 18 May 2022).
15. Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and
Entities and Declared Persons – Russia and Ukraine) Amendment
(No. 16) Instrument 2022 – Explanatory
Statement.
16. Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and
Entities and Declared Persons – Russia and Ukraine) Amendment
(No. 17) Instrument 2022 – Explanatory
Statement.
17. Charter of the United Nations (Listed Entities)
Amendment (No. 2) Instrument 2022 – Explanatory
Statement.
18. Charter of the United Nations (Listed Entities)
Amendment (No. 2) Instrument 2022 – Explanatory
Statement.
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