The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has tabled a report recommending the ratification of two treaty actions.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 20 March 2024

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has tabled a report recommending the ratification of the following treaty actions: Acts of the Universal Postal Union adopted by the 2nd Extraordinary Congress: Tenth Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union and Second Additional Protocol to the General Regulations of Universal Postal Union. Acts of the Universal Postal Union adopted by the 27th Universal Postal Congress: Eleventh Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union, Third Additional Protocol to the General Regulations of the Universal Postal Union, the Universal Postal Convention, the Final Protocol to the Universal Postal Convention, the Postal Payment Services Agreement and the Final Protocol to the Postal Payment Services Agreement. The Universal Postal Union (UPU) aims to promote accessible and efficient universal postal services of value that ensure communication around the world. Participation in the UPU enables Australia to promote and safeguard its interests in the UPU and continue to work to improve the international postal system for the benefit of Australian consumers, businesses, and designated postal operator, Australia Post. These treaty actions aim to create a more efficient UPU by addressing internal governance arrangements and representation issues. Changes to internal arrangements include clarity around decision-making and the responsibility of adopting procedures, while establishing a system for the electronic submission of procedural documents. Representation changes will be made by introducing gender equality principles and addressing membership inequalities for Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries, such as Australia’s Pacific Island neighbours. Committee Chair Mr Josh Wilson MP said: “The exchange of international mail between member states is important for commerce and development. These changes create a more efficient and less ambiguous UPU, which aligns with Australia’s trade, national security, biosecurity, and border protection interests.” Mr Wilson continued: “The establishment of permanent Pacific Island seats on the UPU Councils highlights the importance of supporting and promoting Pacific Island interests and aligns with Australia’s engagement with the region.” The Committee supports ratification and recommends that binding treaty action be taken. The report can be found on the Committee website, along with further information on the inquiry. Media inquiries Mr Tim Watkin, Chief of Staff, Office of Josh Wilson MP 0434 555 823 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 this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) will hold a public hearing today for its inquiries into two Universal Postal Union treaty actions

Media release issue date: Monday, 26 February 2024

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) will hold a public hearing today for its inquiries into two Universal Postal Union treaty actions: Acts of the Universal Postal Union adopted by the 2nd Extraordinary Congress: Tenth Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union and Second Additional Protocol to the General Regulations of Universal Postal Union Acts of the Universal Postal Union adopted by the 27th Universal Postal Congress: Eleventh Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union, Third Additional Protocol to the General Regulations of the Universal Postal Union, the Universal Postal Convention, the Final Protocol to the Universal Postal Convention, the Postal Payment Services Agreement and the Final Protocol to the Postal Payment Services Agreement The Universal Postal Union (UPU) sets the rules and standards for the exchange of international mail between member states. The mission of the UPU is to stimulate efficient and accessible universal postal services of quality to facilitate communication around the world.   Committee Chair, Mr Josh Wilson MP said: “Secure, safe, and efficient international postal exchange is critically important to Australian consumers and businesses. International cooperation on postal movements – facilitated by the UPU – provides trade, national security, and biosecurity and border protection benefits to Australia.”   The UPU treaty actions propose changes to the UPU’s Constitution and adjustments to the financial contributions of its members. This will result in Small Island Developing States reducing their contributions to the UPU. There are further changes to the composition and functioning of the Councils of the UPU, including Pacific Island representation, as well as provision for a permanent convention, and a permanent Postal Payment Agreement.    The treaty actions would enable Australia to have input into the conduct of the UPU, as well as the international policy, regulatory and operational frameworks of international mail.  Mr Wilson continued: "These treaty actions are designed to continue to improve international postal services and would importantly, grow Australia’s role in the UPU and allow Pacific Island states to be represented on UPU’s councils.”      As part of the public hearing, the Committee will hear from officials from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Australia Post and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.    Public hearing details Date: Monday 26 February 2024 Time: 11:00 am Location: Committee Room 2R1   The hearing can be accessed online and the program for this hearing is available on the Committee website, along with further information about the inquiry. Media inquiries Mr Tim Watkin, Chief of Staff, Office of Josh Wilson MP 0434 555 823 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.