List of recommendations

Recommendation 1

2.33

To improve transparency and ensure the public is aware of proposed changes, the Committee recommends that the documents relating to minor treaty actions be uploaded to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties website and so be publicly available.

Recommendation 2

3.51

The Committee recommends that the Government publish negotiation aims and objectives for all future trade treaty negotiations.

Recommendation 3

3.52

The Committee recommends that the Government brief the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties biannually on the status of upcoming and current free trade agreement negotiations, potentially as part of the same briefing to the Trade Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade.

Recommendation 4

3.53

The Committee recommends the Government consider the use of non-disclosure agreements with key stakeholders to allow for improved consultation in certain areas of trade agreement negotiation, having regard to the approaches and mechanisms used by the United States and by the European Union.

Recommendation 5

4.15

The Committee recommends the Government consider implementing a process through which independent modelling and analysis of a trade agreement, at both the macro and sectoral levels, is undertaken in the future by the Productivity Commission, or similarly independent and expert body, and provided to the Committee alongside the National Interest Analysis to improve assessment of the agreement, increase public confidence in the benefits of trade agreements, and facilitate the longitudinal assessment of actual trade outcomes.

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