Treaties Committee to examine Marine Aids treaty at public hearing

Issue date: Thursday, 5 September 2024

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The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing today for its inquiry into the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.

The Convention establishes the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation, replacing the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). IALA aids marine navigation services globally but currently has its membership and funding constrained as a result of being an NGO. The Convention will convert IALA to an intergovernmental organisation (IGO).

Committee Chair, Ms Lisa Chesters MP, said, ‘IALA helps provide for the safe navigation of Australian vessels through promoting and maintaining internationally recognised and implemented standards. Converting IALA to an IGO will allow this important work to continue and will open up new avenues for funding, membership and collaboration.’

‘Australia has been a longstanding member of IALA. By ratifying the treaty and becoming a member of the IGO’s Council, we will continue to influence key decisions, the development of standards, contribute to the IGO’s strategic priorities and stay abreast of technological developments within the field,’ said Ms Chesters.

The Committee will hear evidence from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the public hearing.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday 9 September 2024
Time: 11.10am to 12.10pm (approximately)
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

More information about the Committee and its inquiry can be found on the Committee’s website.

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

Media enquiries

Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Chair
Kate Sutherland, Parliamentary Program Manager
Kate.Sutherland@aph.gov.au
(03) 5443 9055

For background information

Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4002
jsct@aph.gov.au

For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

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