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 to 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.
   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. The report contains the Committee’s review of the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
   7. The Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation establishes the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation as an intergovernmental organisation which will establish and administer international standards for marine navigation aids. The organisation will replace a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities, which was established in 1957 and to which Australia has been a long-standing and respected member. The move to becoming an intergovernmental organisation is expected to open membership and funding opportunities to new parties who had previously been restrained by their restrictions on working with NGOs.
   8. The report also contains the minor treaty action 2022 Amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.
   9. A copy of the treaties considered in this report and the associated documents may be accessed through the Committee’s website at: www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties.

Footnotes

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