1. Introduction
   1. The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) was appointed by the Commonwealth Parliament to inquire into any treaty to which Australia has become a signatory, upon the treaty being tabled in the Parliament or as referred by a Minister.[1]
   2. The Committee's resolution of appointment empowers it to inquire into and report on:

1. matters arising from treaties and related National Interest Analyses and proposed treaty actions and related Explanatory Statements presented or deemed to be presented to the Parliament;
2. any question relating to a treaty or other international instrument, whether or not negotiated to completion, referred to the committee by:

1. either House of the Parliament; or
2. a Minister; and

3. such other matters as may be referred to the committee by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and on such conditions as the Minister may prescribe.[2]
   3. Prior to tabling, major treaty actions are subject to a National Interest Analysis (NIA), prepared by the Australian Government. The NIA considers the treaty, outlines the treaty obligations and any regulatory or financial implications, and reports the results of consultations undertaken with state and territory governments, federal, state and territory agencies, and with industry or non-government organisations.
   4. The Committee takes account of the NIA in its examination of the treaty text, in addition to other evidence taken during the Inquiry.
   5. The treaties, and matters arising from them, are evaluated to ensure ratification is in the national interest, and that unintended or negative effects on Australia do not arise.
   6. This report contains the Committee’s review of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction).
   7. The Agreement closes gaps in the conservation of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction through a variety of mechanisms and by enhancing coordination between global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies. The Agreement will strengthen ocean health and subsequently support Australia’s marine industries and international nature-positive agendas.
   8. A copy of the treaty considered in this report and the associated documents may be accessed through the Committee’s website at: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties.

Footnotes

[1]Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT), ‘Role of the Committee’, https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties/Role_of_the_Committee.

[2]JSCOT, ‘Resolution of Appointment, https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties/Resolution.