1. Introduction
   1. This report contains the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties’ review of the following major treaty actions:

• Convention between Australia and Iceland for the Elimination of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance and its Protocol (Reykjavík, 12 October 2022) (Tax Convention)
• Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (Paris, 2 November 2001) (UCH Convention).
  2. The Committee’s resolution of appointment empowers it to inquire into any treaty to which Australia has become a signatory, on the treaty being tabled in the Parliament or referred by a Minister.
  3. The treaties, and matters arising from them, are evaluated to ensure ratification is in the national interest, and that unintended or negative effects on Australia would not arise.
  4. Prior to tabling, major treaty actions are subject to a National Interest Analysis, prepared by the Australian Government. This document considers the treaty, outlines the treaty obligations and any regulatory or financial implications, and reports the results of consultations undertaken with state and territory governments, federal, state and territory agencies, and with industry or non-government organisations.
  5. The Committee takes account of this document in its examination of the treaty text, in addition to other evidence taken during the inquiry program.
  6. A copy of the treaties considered in this report and the associated documents may be accessed through the Committee’s website at:
• www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties/DoubleTax-Iceland
• www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties/UN-UCH.

Conduct of the Committee’s review

Tax Convention

1.7The Tax Convention inquiry was published on the Committee website on 25 November 2022. Submissions were requested by 16 December 2022. Two submissions were received.

1.8The Committee held a public hearing in Canberra and by videoconference on 10February 2023. The transcript of evidence from the public hearing may be accessed through the Committee’s website.

1.9A list of submissions received is at Appendix A and a list of witnesses who appeared at the public hearing is at Appendix B.

UCH Convention

1.10The Committee’s inquiry into the UCH Convention lapsed at the dissolution of the 46th Parliament and it was re-referred to the Committee by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on 25 October 2022.

1.11The UCH Convention inquiry was published on the Committee website on 1 November 2022. The Committee did not request further submissions, instead deciding to make use of the submissions received to the inquiry in the 46th Parliament. Nineteen submissions were received during the 46th Parliament and one submission was received following re-referral of the treaty in the 47th Parliament.

1.12The Committee held a public hearing in Canberra and by videoconference on 10February 2023. The transcript of evidence from the public hearing may be accessed through the Committee’s website.

1.13A list of submissions received is at Appendix A and a list of witnesses who appeared at the public hearing is at Appendix B.