Appendix C — Minor treaty actions

Minor treaty actions are generally technical amendments to existing treaties which do not impact significantly on the national interest.

Minor treaty actions are presented to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties with a one-page explanatory statement.  The Committee has the discretion to formally inquire into these treaty actions or indicate its acceptance of them without a formal inquiry and report.  Minor treaty actions are listed on the Committee’s website.

The minor treaty action under consideration here is the International Convention Against Doping in Sport Annex I - Prohibited List - International Standard (the Convention).

The Convention is administered by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).  Annex I identifies the substances and methods of doping that are prohibited in sport. 

The proposed amendment updates Annex I to include the 2012 Prohibited List adopted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on 17 September 2011.  WADA reviews its Prohibited List annually and consults widely on possible amendments.  The Australian Government contributes to this consultation process.

The proposed amendment harmonises the regulation of prohibited substances and methods, in and out of competition, across certain sports globally.  The proposed amendment will ensure that Australian athletes will be subject to the same list of banned substances as all other international athletes.

On 6 February 2012, the Committee determined not to hold a formal inquiry into this treaty action and agreed that binding treaty action may be taken.