Purpose of the report
1.1
This report contains the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties’ review of the following treaty actions:
Amendments to Appendices I and II to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, (Manila, 28 October 2017); and
Acts of the Universal Postal Union adopted by the 26th Congress: Ninth Additional Protocol to the Constitution, First Additional Protocol to the General Regulations, Convention and Final Protocol, and Postal Payment Services Agreement and Final Protocol, (Istanbul, 6 October 2016).
1.2
The Committee’s resolution of appointment empowers it to inquire into any treaty action to which Australia has become a signatory, on the treaty being tabled in Parliament.
1.3
Treaties, and matters arising from them, are evaluated to ensure that ratification is in the national interest, and that unintended or negative effects on Australia will not arise.
1.4
Prior to tabling, major treaty actions are subject to a National Interest Analysis (NIA), prepared by the Government. This document considers arguments for and against the treaty and outlines the treaty obligations and any consultations undertaken with State and Territory Governments, Federal and State and Territory agencies, and with industry and non-government organisations.
1.5
A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) may accompany the NIA. The RIS provides an account of the regulatory impact of the treaty action where adoption of the treaty will involve a change in the regulatory environment for Australian business. The treaties examined in this report did not require a RIS.
1.6
Copies of the treaty actions considered in this report and their associated documentation may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties/BonnConventionAmendment/Treaty_being_considered; and
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties/UPUAmendments/Treaty_being_considered.
Conduct of the Committee’s review
1.7
The treaty actions reviewed in this Report were advertised on the Committee’s website from the date of tabling. The Committee received one submission for the inquiry into the Universal Postal Union amendments.
1.8
The Committee held a public hearing into the Acts of the Universal Postal Union adopted by the 26th Congress: Ninth Additional Protocol to the Constitution, First Additional Protocol to the General Regulations, Convention and Final Protocol, and Postal Payment Services Agreement and Final Protocol on 5 February 2018. The Committee determined not to hold a public hearing into the Amendments to Appendices I and II to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals as, due to the Christmas recess and the sitting pattern, the Committee was unable to consider the proposed amendments before they came into effect.
1.9
The transcript of evidence from the public hearing may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or access through the Committee’s website. A list of submissions received is at Appendix A. A list of witnesses who appeared at the public hearing is at Appendix B.