Purpose of the report

This report contains advice to Parliament on the review by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties of treaty actions tabled in Parliament on 6, 7 and 27 February 2007. These treaty actions are:

• 6¹ and 7² February 2007
• Treaty between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea, done at Sydney on 12 January 2006
• Agreement between Australia and the Swiss Confederation on Social Security (Canberra, 9 October 2006)
• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Finland for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion, and Protocol done at Melbourne on 20 November 2006

27 February 2007³

• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Korea on the Protection of Migratory Birds and Exchange of Notes Canberra, 6 December 2006
• Measure 4 (2006) Specially Protected Species: Fur Seals Edinburgh, 23 June 2006

Briefing documents

The advice in this Report refers to the National Interest Analysis (NIA) prepared for the proposed treaty actions. This document is prepared by the Government agency (or agencies) responsible for the administration of Australia’s responsibilities under each 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/6_7_february2007/tor.htm
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/27february2007/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.⁴ 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.

The Committee also received evidence at public hearings held on 26 February and 26 March 2007 in Canberra. A list of witnesses who appeared before the Committee at 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/6_7_february2007/hearings.htm
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/27february2007/hearings.htm

Australia, House of Representatives 2004-05-06-07, Votes and Proceedings, No. 148, p. 1678; Australia, Senate 2004-07, Journal, No. 128, p. 3373. Back