Purpose of the report
1.1
This report contains the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties’ reviews of the following treaty actions, both with the French Republic:
the Framework Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the French Republic concerning Cooperation on the Future Submarine Program (Adelaide, 20 December 2016) which was tabled in Parliament on 7 February 2017; and
the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the French Republic regarding the Exchange and Reciprocal Protection of Classified Information (Paris, 7 December 2016), which was tabled in Parliament on 7 February 2017.
1.2
The Committee’s resolution of appointment empowers it to inquire into any treaty to which Australia has become a signatory, on the treaty being tabled in Parliament.
1.3
The treaties, and matters arising from them, are evaluated to ensure that ratification is in the national interest, and that unintended or negative effects on Australians will not arise.
1.4
Prior to tabling, these treaty actions were subject to at National Interest Analysis (NIA), prepared by Government. These documents consider arguments for and against the treaty, outline the treaty obligations and any regulatory or financial implications, and report the results of consultations undertaken with State and Territory Governments, Federal and State and Territory agencies, and with industry or non-government organisations.
1.5
A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) may accompany the NIA. The RIS provides an account of the regulatory impact of the treaty actions where adoption of the treaty will involve a change in the regulatory environment for Australian businesses. The treaty actions examined in this report did not require a RIS.
1.6
The Committee takes account of these documents in its examination of the treaty text, in addition to other evidence taken during the inquiry program.
1.7
Copies of the treaty actions considered in this report, and the associated documentation may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties/FutureSubmarine-France; and
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties/ClassifiedInformation.
Conduct of the Committee’s review
1.8
The treaty actions reviewed in this report were advertised on the Committee’s website from the date of tabling. Submissions for the treaties were requested by 3 March 2017.
1.9
Invitations were made to all State Premiers, Territory Chief Ministers and to the Presiding Officers of each Parliament to lodge submissions. The Committee also invited submissions from individuals and organisations with an interest in the treaties under review.
1.10
The Committee held public hearings into the treaty actions in Adelaide on 8 March 2017 and in Canberra on 14 March 2017 and 20 March 2017.
1.11
The transcript of evidence from the public hearings may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website.
1.12
A list of submissions received is listed at Appendix A.
1.13
A list of witnesses who appeared at public hearings is at Appendix B.