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 on 7 December 2004¹, specifically:

• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Poland relating to Air Services (Warsaw, 28 April 2004)
• Amendment to the Agreement establishing the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Paris, 29 May 1990) in order to admit Mongolia as a country of operations.

Briefing documents

The advice in this Report refers to the National Interest Analyses (NIAs) prepared for these proposed treaty actions. Copies of the NIAs are available from the Committee’s website at <www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/7dec2004/tor.htm> or may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat. These documents were prepared by the Government agency (or agencies) responsible for the administration of Australia’s responsibilities under each treaty.

Copies of treaty actions and NIAs can 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 Committee’s review of the treaty actions canvassed in this Report was advertised in the national press and on the Committee’s website.² In addition, letters inviting comment were sent to all State Premiers and Chief Ministers and to 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 took evidence at a public hearing held on 7 March 2005. A list of witnesses who gave evidence at the public hearing is at Appendix B. A transcript of evidence from the public hearing can be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s internet site at <www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/7dec2004/hearings.htm>.