Purpose of the report

This report contains advice to Parliament on the review by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties on the Agreement between Australia and the Republic of Indonesia on the Framework for Security Cooperation (Mataram, Lombok, 13 November 2006) (the Agreement).¹

The Agreement is designed to provide a framework for cooperation between Australia and Indonesia on traditional and non-traditional security threats.

Briefing documents

The advice in this Report refers to the National Interest Analysis (NIA) prepared for the proposed treaty action. This document is prepared by the Government agency responsible for the administration of Australia’s responsibilities under the treaty. Copies of the NIA may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/6december2006/tor.htm

Copies of the treaty action and NIA 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

The review contained in this report was advertised in the national press and on the Committee’s website.² Invitations to lodge submissions were also sent to all State Premiers, Chief Ministers, Presiding Members of Parliament and to individuals who have expressed an interest in being kept informed of proposed treaty actions. Invitations were also sent to organisations and individuals who the Committee identified as having an interest in the Agreement. The Committee received 56 submissions. Submissions received and their authors are listed at Appendix A. Exhibits are listed at Appendix B.

The Committee also received evidence at public hearings held on 26 February and 26 March in Canberra and 30 April in Sydney. A list of witnesses who appeared before the Committee at the public hearings 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/6december2006/hearings.htm

Structure of the Report

Chapter 2 provides an examination of the provisions of the Agreement, chapters 3 and 4 consider the issues raised by the submissions and chapter 5 provides the Committee’s conclusions in relation to the Agreement.

The Committee’s review of the proposed treaty action was advertised in The Australian on 14 February 2007. Members of the public were advised on how to obtain relevant information and invited to submit their views to the Committee, both in the advertisement and via the Committee’s website. Back