House of Representatives Committees

| Joint Standing Committee on Treaties

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Chapter 1 Introduction

Purpose of the Report

1.1                   This report contains advice to Parliament on the review by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties of two treaty actions tabled in Parliament on 3 February 2009. These treaty actions are:

1.2                   The Report refers frequently to the National Interest Analysis (NIA) prepared for each proposed treaty action and a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) for the Agreement between Australia and the European Community on Trade in Wine. These documents were prepared by the Government agencies responsible for the administration of Australia’s responsibilities under each treaty. Copies of each NIA and the RIS may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=jsct/3february2009/tor.htm

1.3                   Copies of each treaty action, the NIAs and the RIS may also be obtained from the Australian Treaties Library maintained on the internet by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Australian Treaties Library is accessible through the Committee’s website or directly at:

www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/

Conduct of the Committee’s Review

1.4                   The reviews contained in this report were advertised in the national press and on the Committee’s website.[3] Invitations to lodge submissions were also sent to all State Premiers, Chief Ministers, Presiding Officers of parliaments and to individuals who have expressed an interest in being kept informed of proposed treaty actions. Submissions received and their authors are listed at Appendix A and Exhibits received are listed at Appendix B.

1.5                   The Committee also received evidence at a public hearing held on 16 March 2009 in Canberra. A list of witnesses who appeared at the public hearing is at Appendix C. Transcripts of evidence from public hearings may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=jsct/3february2009/hearings.htm

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