Chapter 1 - Introduction

  1. Introduction
    1. This report contains the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties’ (JSCOT) review of the Treaty on Extradition between Australia and the Czech Republic (Canberra, 17 February 2022) (Extradition Treaty or the Treaty).
    2. The Committee’s resolution of appointment empowers it to inquire into any treaty to which Australia has become a signatory, on the treaty being tabled in the Parliament or referred by a Minister.
    3. The treaties, and matters arising from them, are evaluated to ensure ratification is in the national interest, and that unintended or negative effects on Australia do not arise.
    4. Prior to tabling, major treaty actions are subject to a National Interest Analysis, prepared by the Australian Government. This document considers the treaty, outlines the treaty obligations and any regulatory or financial implications, and reports the results of consultations undertaken with state and territory governments, federal, state and territory agencies, and with industry or non-government organisations.
    5. The Committee takes account of this document in its examination of the treaty text, in addition to other evidence taken during the inquiry program.
    6. A copy of the treaty considered in this report and the associated documents may be accessed through the Committee’s website at:
  • www.aph.gov.au/Treaties/ExtraditionCzech
    1. The report also contains the Committee’s review of four minor treaty actions:
  • amendment to Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as contained in notification 2022/073 Caribena versicolor (Antilles pinktoe tarantula)
  • amendment to Appendix III of CITES as contained in notification 2023/11 Daboia palaestinae (Palestine viper)
  • amendment to Appendix III of CITES as contained in notification 2023/018 Papilio phorbanta (small Réunion swallowtail)
  • amendment to the International Sugar Agreement 1992.

Conduct of the Committee’s review

1.8The Extradition Treaty inquiry was published on the Committee website on 9 March 2023. Submissions were requested by 31 March 2023. One submission was received in the form of questions on notice from the Attorney-General’s Department.

1.9The Committee held a public hearing in Canberra on 8 May 2023. The transcript of evidence from the public hearing can be accessed through the Committee’s website.

1.10A list of submissions received is at Appendix A and a list of witnesses who appeared at the public hearing is at Appendix B.

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