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 following major treaty actions:

• Agreement Between the Government of Australia and the Government of Papua New Guinea on a Framework for Closer Security Relations
• International Labour Organization Convention No. 187: Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention adopted at Geneva on 15 June 2006
  7. The Agreement Between the Government of Australia and the Government of Papua New Guinea on a Framework for Closer Security Relations establishes a framework that will deepen security cooperation between the two countries and create obligations for the countries to work together more closely on mutual security interests. The Agreement maintains and strengthens cooperation between the two countries on common security interests, including across traditional security areas such as defence, policing, border, and maritime security. There is also an expansion of the concept of security to non-traditional areas such as addressing challenges in cyber security, climate change, violence against women and children, and critical infrastructure.
  8. The International Labour Organization Convention No. 187: Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention prevents occupational injuries, diseases, and deaths by requiring International Labour Organization (ILO) Members to establish and implement national policies, systems and programmes to promote a safe and healthy working environment. Convention No. 187 is one of ten fundamental ILO conventions and the only one of the fundamental conventions that is yet to be ratified by Australia.
  9. The Report also contains two minor treaty actions:
• Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
• 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matters 1972
  10. A copy of the treaties 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.