The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has recommended that the Government ratify the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 1 September 2021

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has recommended that the Government ratify the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. ‘RCEP is a significant achievement. Accounting for almost one-third of the world’s population and GDP, it is anticipated RCEP’s broad membership and simplified trading standards will facilitate growing supply-chain integration and closer regional economic integration’, Mr Sharma said. ‘As a regional free trade agreement lead and centred around the Association of South East Asian Nations, RCEP also helps anchor and reinforce ASEAN’s leadership role in the development of regional norms and standards.’ ‘RCEP will make it easier for Australian exporters to the region, providing a single set of rules and procedures to navigate.’ In its report the Committee also emphasised its concern about the military coup and human rights deterioration in Myanmar. The Committee stressed the importance of continuing to pursue the restoration of civilian, democratic rule in Myanmar as a priority. The Report can be found on the Committee website, along with further information on the inquiry. Other RCEP signatories include the ten nations of ASEAN, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand. Media enquiries Ms Jodie Mathews, Office of Mr Dave Sharma MP 02 9327 3988 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.   

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will be on a virtual road trip this week as part of the Committee’s inquiry into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP).

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 27 July 2021

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will be on a virtual road trip this week as part of the Committee’s inquiry into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP). RCEP is a regional free trade agreement between Australia and the countries of ASEAN, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand. Committee Chair Mr Dave Sharma MP said ‘The Committee will be holding three virtual public hearings this week, including witnesses from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, and Canberra. Unfortunately, COVID-19 restrictions have meant the Committee is unable to hold these hearings in-person as planned.’ The Committee will discuss a broad range of issues associated with RCEP, including trade in goods, intellectual property, services, health, and human rights. Public hearing details Tuesday 27 July 2021 Time: 9.30 am – 11.30 am AEST The program for this hearing is available online. The hearing can be accessed online. Wednesday 28 July 2021 Time: 10.00 am – 12 noon AEST The program for this hearing is available online. The hearing can be accessed online. Friday 30 July 2021 Time: 10.30 am – 12.30 pm AEST The program for this hearing is available online. The hearing can be accessed online. Further information on the inquiry can be found on the inquiry website. Media inquiries Ms Natalie Hissey, Office of Mr Dave Sharma MP 02 9327 3988 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.  

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will today hear from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (the Chamber) as part of the Committee’s inquiry into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP).

Media release issue date: Monday, 21 June 2021

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will today hear from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (the Chamber) as part of the Committee’s inquiry into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP). RCEP is a regional free trade agreement between Australia and the countries of ASEAN, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand. Committee Chair Mr Dave Sharma MP said ‘This hearing gives the Committee an opportunity to explore the impact of RCEP on Australian business. The Chamber has told the Committee that it believes that the value of RCEP for Australia is in strategically redirecting trade and economic ties towards regional relationships within the Asia-Pacific.’ The Committee will also discuss the Chamber’s concerns about the overlap between trade agreements, rule of origin arrangements, and the lack of independent economic analysis of RCEP’s impacts. The Committee anticipates conducting further hearings on RCEP in other parts of the country. Public hearing programs will be made available of the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Monday 21 June 2021 Time: 11.10 am – 11.55 am AEST Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House Please note that access to the public hearing is restricted as a pandemic control measure. The hearing can be accessed online. Further information on the inquiry can be found on the inquiry website. Media inquiries Ms Natalie Hissey, Office of Mr Dave Sharma MP 02 9327 3988 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

On Monday, 10 May 2021, the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold its first public hearing on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Media release issue date: Monday, 10 May 2021

On Monday, 10 May 2021, the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold its first public hearing on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP). The RCEP is a regional free trade agreement involving Australia and the ten countries of ASEAN plus China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand. Committee Chair Mr Dave Sharma MP said 'RCEP is a globally-significant trade agreement, covering almost one-third of the world’s population and GDP. It is comprehensive, covering trade in goods and services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, electronic commerce, and reflecting contemporary standards in the areas intellectual property, competition and government procurement.' 'At a time when free, open and non-discriminatory trade is under increasing pressure, agreements such as RCEP can help shore up the existing order, which has done so much to underpin rising global prosperity.' Although Australia has existing trade agreements with many of the parties to RCEP, the Agreement is expected to enhance these benefits and update standards in some areas and open new opportunities for Australian businesses. Australian Government witnesses will speak at the public hearing in Parliament House. Further information on the inquiry can be found on the inquiry website. Public hearing details: Date: Monday, 10 May 2021 Time: 10:15 am–1:00 pm Location: Committee Room 1R6, Parliament House Please note that access to the public hearing is restricted as a pandemic control measure. The hearing can be can be accessed online. Media enquiries: Ms Natalie Hissey, Office of Mr Dave Sharma MP 02 9327 3988 For background information: Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.