Purpose of the report |
| 1.1 |
This Report contains advice to Parliament on the review by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties of six treaty actions tabled in Parliament on 28 March1 and 10 May 2006.2 These treaty actions are:
28 March 20063
- Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia for Cooperation in Scientific Research and Technological Development
10 May 2006
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Namibia and the Governments of Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning the Treatment of War Graves of members of the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth in the Territory of the Republic of Namibia
- Agreement on Social Security between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway
- Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America on Cooperation in Science and Technology for Homeland/Domestic Security Matters
- The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance Statutes (as amended at the Extraordinary Council meeting of International IDEA on 24 January 2006 )
- Amendments to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Constitution, done at Geneva on 24 November 1998
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Briefing documents |
| 1.2 |
The advice in this Report refers to the National Interest Analyses (NIAs) prepared for the proposed treaty actions. These documents are prepared by the Government agency (or agencies) responsible for the administration of Australia’s responsibilities under each treaty. Copies of the NIAs may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/28march2006/tor.htm
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/10may2006/tor.htm |
| 1.3 |
Copies of treaty actions and NIAs may also be obtained from the Australian Treaties Library maintained on the internet by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Australian Treaties Library is accessible through the Committee’s website or directly at:
www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/ |
Conduct of the Committee’s review |
| 1.4 |
The Review contained in this report was advertised in the national press and on the Committee’s website.4 Letters were also sent inviting comment from all State Premiers, Chief Ministers, Presiding Members of Parliament and from individuals who have expressed an interest in being kept informed of proposed treaty actions. A list of submissions and their authors is at Appendix A.
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| 1.5 |
The Committee also received evidence at public hearings held on 8 May, 19 and 20 June 2006. A list of witnesses who appeared before the Committee at public hearings is at Appendix B. A transcript of evidence from the public hearings may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/28march2006/hearings.htm
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/10may2006/hearings.htm |
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| 1 |
Australia, House of Representatives 2004-05-06, Votes and Proceedings, No. 91, p. 1026; Australia, Senate 2004-06, Journal, No. 77, p. 1993. Back |
| 2 |
Australia, House of Representatives 2004-05-06, Votes and Proceedings, No. 95, p. 1080; Senate 2004-06, Journal, No. 81, p. 2139. Back
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| 3 |
The remaining treaties tabled on 28 March 2006 were included in the Committee’s Reports 74 and 75. The Committee has also deferred consideration of the Exchange of Letters Constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand to Amend Article 3 of the Australia New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (ANZCERTA) pending further information. Back |
| 4 |
The Committee’s review of the proposed treaty actions was advertised in TheAustralian on 5, 19 April and 17 May 2006 . Members of the public were advised on how to obtain relevant information and invited to submit their views to the Committee, both in the advertisement and via the Committee’s website. Back |