Executive Summary

This report contains the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) review of the following major 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 (UPU treaty action 1)
• 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 (UPU treaty action 2)

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is a UN Specialised agency and the postal sector’s primary forum for international cooperation. The UPU sets the rules and standards for the exchange of international mail between member states with its mission being to develop efficient and accessible universal postal services of quality to aid communication around the world.

UPU treaty action 1 has changes to the UPU Constitution resulting in alterations to the obligations of the Postal Operations Council (POC) and changes to the General Regulations and contribution classes. UPU treaty action 2 includes changes to the composition and functioning of the Councils of the UPU, including Pacific Island representation, changes to contribution classes, a permanent convention and a permanent postal payment agreement.

During its inquiry the Committee heard that recent changes to the nature of international mail have resulted in efforts to modernise the UPU. The declining use of letters and the increase in parcels more generally as well as the majority of parcels being handled by operators outside the UPU system, has meant that the UPU has initiated work to open up the UPU to wider postal sector players, to modernise the institution and to deliver better end user experiences. Other key issues raised during the inquiry include Australia’s role at the UPU, costs, the interests of Pacific Islands, stakeholder concerns, national sovereignty, and gender equality principles. The Committee considers that these issues have been addressed adequately by the Inquiry.

Also, of note at the public hearing the Committee inquired into developments through these amendments that would benefit Pacific Island countries. These include the establishment of permanent Pacific Island seats on the UPU Councils. The Committee also heard about consultation with Pacific Island states on these issues.

The Committee notes the support for ratification from Government and industry stakeholders.

The Committee supports the treaty actions and recommends binding treaty action be taken.

The report also contains the Committee’s examination of two minor treaty actions:

• 2023 Amendment to Annex I of the International Convention against Doping in Sport
• Amendment to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974