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 21 June 2005.¹ These treaty actions are:

Agreement on Social Security between the Government of Australia and the Government of Ireland ( Dublin , 9 June 2005 )

Exchange of notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America to amend and extend the Agreement concerning the conduct of scientific balloon flights for civil research purposes

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/21june2005/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:

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 Letters were also sent inviting comment from all State Premiers and Chief Ministers 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 16 August 2005. A list of witnesses who appeared before the Committee at the 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:

www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/21june2005/hearings.htm