QRSciences security technology recognised by US & Aust govts

Perth-based security-focused software group QRSciences Ltd has received important recognition from the United States and Australian governments following official meetings in Washington this week.

Both governments identified QRSciences' metal detection technologies as a possible solution to identify dis-assembled firearms and firearm components in packages and baggage.

The Minister for Justice and Customs Chris Ellison said that the Australian Customs Service was participating in bilateral discussions with the United Sates to collaborate on counter-terrorism technologies.

QRSciences has welcomed the minister's announcement and is pleased that the bilateral agreements between the United States and Australia provide a mechanism for the United States to test and evaluate Australian technologies.

QRSciences vice president of commercial systems Gary Pennefather said that QRSciences was proud to be recognised as a contributor in a field of such fundamental importance as global security.

The governmental recognition of QRSciences' security technology comes on the back of the company's agreement, on May 30, to cross license some of it security software applications with GE Security.

THE FULL MEDIA RELEASES FROM QRSCIENCES AND MINISTER ELLISON ARE ATTACHED BELOW.

SENATOR THE HON CHRIS ELLISON MINISTER FOR JUSTICE AND CUSTOMS

Australia and US join forces to develop counter-terrorism technology

Following two recent agreements between Australia and the United States, officials from both countries met for the first time in Washington this week to develop opportunities for Australian and United States research communities to collaborate on counter-terrorism technologies.

The Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator the Hon Chris Ellison, said from Washington today that this first meeting demonstrates practical cooperation between Australia and the United States in fighting terrorism and transnational crime.

"Officers from the Australian Customs Service have participated in the bilateral discussions in areas of interest including physical security, explosives and weapons detection technology, and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear detection," Senator Ellison said.

Senator Ellison said by way of practical example the Australian Customs Service has been trialling prototype technology developed by QR Sciences, a Western Australia based company on screening technology to better detect firearms and firearms parts in the postal environment.

"This type of prototype may be of interest to the United States and the bilateral agreements provide a mechanism to test and evaluate new technologies like this" Senator Ellison said.

"Likewise Australia has the opportunity to benefit through access to the US research and development community to continue to enhance our counter-terrorism capabilities."

QRSCIENCES COUNTER TERRORISM TECHNOLOGY RECOGNISED BY U.S AND AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENTS

2 June, 2006 Perth, Western Australia: QRSciences (ASX:QRS), a developer of advanced sensor and detection technology, is pleased to announce the company has received important recognition from the United States and Australian Governments following official meetings in Washington this week.

Both Governments have identified one of QRSciences' metal detection technologies as a possible solution to identify dis-assembled firearms and firearm components in packages and baggage.

The Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator the Hon Chris Ellison, said from Washington that the Australian Customs Service was participating in bilateral discussions with the United Sates to collaborate on counter-terrorism technologies.

QRSciences welcomes the Minister's announcement and is pleased that the bilateral agreements between the United States and Australia provide a mechanism for the United States to test and evaluate Australian technologies.

Gary Pennefather, Vice President of Commercial Systems at QRSciences said, "QRSciences is proud to be recognised as a contributor in a field of such fundamental importance as global security."

A full copy of The Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator the Hon Chris Ellison's announcement follows.

The Senator's announcement is on the back of QRSciences' finalising an agreement on the 30th May 2006, to cross license a suite of patent and patent applications with GE Security, a business affiliate of the General Electric Company (NYSE:GE). As part of the deal QRSciences will earn royalties on GE product sales incorporating QRS's patented IP (see ASX release 29 May 2006).

Kevin Russeth, Chief Executive Officer said "These are important milestones as QRSciences continues to strengthen it's push into the US security market"

About QRSciences:

QRSciences Holdings Limited is based in Perth, Western Australia with a wholly owned subsidiary, QRSciences Corporation, based in San Diego, California. The company designs and develops systems, sub-systems, components and software for security related applications. Applications for the technologies include explosive, narcotic and weapons detection, pharmaceutical quality control and assurance, mineral and material assay, lab instrumentation and environmental science.