The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has tabled a report recommending the ratification of the Second Protocol to Amend the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 15 May 2024

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has tabled a report recommending the ratification of the following treaty action: Second Protocol to Amend the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is Australia’s second largest trading partner with two-way trade totalling AUD 178 billion and AANZFTA is noted as being ASEAN’s highest quality free trade agreement in terms of market access for goods trade. Building on the original AANZFTA agreement signed in February 2009, the AANZFTA Second Protocol provides broader coverage through new provisions on services and investments, new digital trade data rules, and first-time cooperation in the areas of environment, labour rights, and women’s economic empowerment.    Committee Chair Mr Josh Wilson MP said: “ASEAN’s strong economic growth is set to continue and in implementing the Second Protocol, Australia will expand economic opportunities and integration with this important region. Through stronger investment protection and commitments to specific sectors, this protocol increases assurance for Australian investors and with improvements with respect to inclusive and sustainable trade, creates new commercial opportunities and establishes new shared wellbeing norms that will benefit Australia.” “During public hearings concerns were raised regarding investor-state dispute settlement provisions in the AANZFTA and their ability to impinge upon national sovereignty. Significantly, Australia negotiated a review of ISDS provisions as part of the Second Protocol. The Committee will maintain a close interest in the review, and will seek an update on the government’s review work program in due course.” The Committee supports ratification and recommends that binding treaty action be taken for this protocol as well as the following minor treaty actions; Implementing Changes to the Product-Specific Rules Annex of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Instrument for the Amendment of the Constitution of the International Labour Organization, 1986 Amendments of 2022 to the Code of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 The report can be found on the Committee website, along with further information on the inquiry. Media inquiries Mr Tim Watkin, Chief of Staff, Office of Josh Wilson MP 0434 555 823 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold two public hearings for its inquiries into the AANZFTA Second Protocol and the Nairobi Convention.

Media release issue date: Monday, 25 March 2024

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold two public hearings today for its inquiries into the Second Protocol to Amend the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) (AANZFTA Second Protocol) and the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (the Nairobi Convention). The second public hearing to be held by the Committee on the AANZFTA Second Protocol will provide an opportunity for the Committee to discuss issues arising from the treaty including the investor-state dispute settlement mechanism, inter-state dispute settlement, the adoption of a negative list approach and cooperation in education. The Committee will hear from Professor Luke Nottage, the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network and the Australian Council of Trade Unions. The Committee will then hold a public hearing for its inquiry into the Nairobi Convention which aims to give State Parties the legal means to remove or have shipwrecks removed that potentially affect the safety of lives, goods and property at sea, and the marine environment. The Convention provides rules and standards that facilitate prompt and effective removal of shipwrecks which are located in areas beyond the territorial sea. The Convention also ensures that registered ship owners are held financially liable for the creation of wrecks and are required to have insurance or other financial security to cover the costs of locating, marking and removing wrecks.  Committee Chair Mr Josh Wilson MP said: “Australia is dependent on international maritime trade, so it is vital we keep our maritime environment safe.” “Most wreck incidents affecting Australia involve lost shipping containers from foreign flagged vessels in Australia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). By acceding to this treaty, Australia would be legally allowed to remove or have removed wrecks in the EEZ that pose a danger, impede navigation or could cause major consequences to the marine environment or Australia’s coastline.” The Committee will hear from officials from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Public hearing details - AANZFTA Second Protocol   Date:               Monday 25 March 2024 Time:              11:00 am approximately Location:        Committee Room 2R1 Public hearing details - Nairobi Convention Date:               Monday 25 March 2024 Time:               11:50 am approximately Location:         Committee Room 2R1 The hearings can be accessed online and the programs for the hearings are available on the Committee website, along with further information about the inquiries.  Media inquiries Mr Tim Watkin, Chief of Staff, Office of Josh Wilson MP 0434 555 823 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing for its inquiry into the: Second Protocol to Amend the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA).

Media release issue date: Monday, 18 March 2024

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing today for its inquiry into the Second Protocol to Amend the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) (Second Protocol). The Second Protocol updates the original treaty and First Protocol with a range of new provisions including additional commercial opportunities for Australian businesses, particularly in the services sector, and the digital economy and green economy. The ten countries comprising the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) aim to work together to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development, promote peace and security, promote collaboration and mutual assistance, and encourage growth in the agriculture, industry, and trade sectors.   In 2022, ASEAN was Australia’s second largest trading partner with the relationship accounting for $178 billion in two-way trade. ASEAN Member States represent six out of Australia’s top 15 export markets.   The Second Protocol further includes a chapter on trade and sustainable development for the first time in an ASEAN-centred free trade agreement. This will enhance cooperation on labour standards, environmental protection and women’s economic empowerment, which are key objectives of the Australian Government.   Committee Chair, Mr Josh Wilson MP said: “The Second Protocol to the AANZFTA is designed to deepen the beneficial trading relationships between Australia, New Zealand and ASEAN.”   Mr Wilson further said: “By upgrading the AANZFTA, Australians and our New Zealand and ASEAN partners would see liberalised trade provisions on services and investments, new digital trade data rules, and steps towards enhanced cooperation on the environment, labour rights, and women’s economic empowerment.”   As part of the public hearing, the Committee will hear from officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Attorney-General’s Department and Australian Border Force.   Public hearing details  Date:               Monday 18 March 2024 Time:              11:00 am Location:        Committee Room 2R1 The hearing can be accessed online and the program for this hearing is available on the Committee website, along with further information about the inquiry. Media inquiries Mr Tim Watkin, Chief of Staff, Office of Josh Wilson MP 0434 555 823 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.