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 Security Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en Matière d’Armement) (OCCAR) on the Protection of Classified Information.
   7. The Security Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en Matière d’Armement) (OCCAR) on the Protection of Classified Information establishes security measures to protect Classified Information generated from activities between Australia and OCCAR Member States. Australia is currently a participating and observing member for OCCAR-managed Programmes but must create interim information security arrangements for each Programme. This Agreement would create ongoing security arrangements to protect Australia’s Classified Information and ensure ongoing participation in OCCAR.
   8. The report also contains the minor treaty actions Amendment to the Loan Agreement between Australia and the International Monetary Fund and the Amendment to the Annex to the Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic Convention 1965.
   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.