Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 1 Introduction

Purpose of the Report
Conduct of the Committee’s review

Purpose of the Report

1.1

This report contains advice to Parliament on the review by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties of four treaty actions tabled in Parliament on 12 March1 and 14 May 2008.2 These treaty actions are:

1.2

The Report refers frequently to the National Interest Analysis (NIA) prepared for each proposed treaty action. This document is prepared by the Government agency (or agencies) responsible for the administration of Australia’s responsibilities under each treaty. Copies of each NIA may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/12march2008/tor.htm  and
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/14may2008/tor.htm

1.3

Copies of each 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

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 Members of Parliament 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.

1.5

The Committee also received evidence at public hearings on 8 May 2008, 16 June 2008 and 29 July 2008 in Canberra and Sydney. A list of witnesses who appeared before the public hearings is at Appendix B. Transcripts of evidence from public hearings may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/12march2008/hearings.htm
and
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/14may2008/hearings.htm



Footnotes

1 Australia, House of Representatives 2008, Votes and Proceedings, No. 10, p. 153; Australia, Senate 2008, Journal, No. 5, pp. 197-198. Back
2 Australia, House of Representatives 2008, Votes and Proceedings, No. 17, p. 242; Australia, Senate 2008, Journal, No. 12, p. 371. Back
3 The Committee’s review of the proposed treaty actions was advertised in The Australian on 2 April 2008 and 28 May 2008. Members of the public were advised on how to obtain relevant information both in the advertisement and via the Committee’s website, and invited to submit their views to the Committee. Back

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