AUSTRALIA will be able to buy defence equipment from the United States faster under legislation set to pass the Senate.
The Defence Trade Controls Bill 2011 implements a treaty Australia signed with the US in 2007 to co-operate on the trade of defence and dual-use items.
The agreement means companies won't have to get an individual export licence for every application to the US.
It also allows some items to be exported from America without a licence.
The federal government says the bill will help deliver equipment to Australian troops faster.
Liberal senator David Johnston said on Monday the coalition would support the bill.
Australian Greens senator Scott Ludlam told parliament his party would not back the bill as it facilitated weapons trade.
About half of Australia's war-fighting equipment comes from the US.
Australia's defence force will replace or upgrade about 85 per cent of its equipment during the next 10 to 15 years.
The US passed legislation to implement the treaty in September 2010.
Senator Ludlam suggested the bill was being rushed through parliament to provide a positive photo opportunity for Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Defence Minister Stephen Smith when they greet visiting senior US officials in Perth next month.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta are scheduled to attend the annual Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) there on November 14.
Liberal senator Ian Macdonald said the government should allow more time for the bill to be scrutinised.
He said rushing it through without proper consideration could cause "irreparable harm" to Australia's research departments and defence industries.
"This is just symptomatic, emblematic of what this government is all about," the senator said.
The bill passed the Senate on Monday night, with amendments from the government, opposition and Greens passed.
Thee Defence Trade Controls Bill 2011 and Customs Amendment (Military End-Use) Bill 2011 now return to the lower house for a final tick of approval.
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