Purpose of the report

This Report contains advice to Parliament on the review by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties of two proposed treaty actions tabled in Parliament on 13 September¹ and 11 October 2005.² These treaty actions are:

13 September 2005

• Amendments, done at Ulsan, Republic of Korea on 24 June 2005, to the Schedule to the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, done at Washington on 2 December 1946

11 October 2005

• Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, done at New York on 25 May 2000

Briefing documents

The advice in this Report refers to the National Interest Analyses (NIAs) prepared for the proposed treaty actions. These documents are prepared by the Government agency (or agencies) responsible for the administration of Australia’s responsibilities under each treaty. Copies of the NIAs may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:

www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/11october2005/tor.htm

Copies of treaty actions and NIAs 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:

Conduct of the Committee’s review

The review contained in this Report was advertised in the national press and on the Committee’s website.³ Letters were also sent inviting comment from all State Premiers, Chief Ministers, Presiding Members of Parliament and from individuals who have expressed an interest in being kept informed of proposed treaty actions such as these. A list of submissions and their authors is at Appendix A.

The Committee also received evidence at a public hearing held on 7 November 2005. A list of witnesses who appeared before the Committee at its public hearing is at Appendix B. A transcript of evidence from the public hearing may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:

House of Representatives Votes and Proceedings , 11 October 2005 , p. 657; Senate Journal, 11 October 2005 , p. 1128. Back