Preliminary Pages

Membership of the Committee

Committee Secretariat

Resolution of Appointment

The Resolution of Appointment of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties allows it to inquire into and report on:

a)                  matters arising from treaties and related National Interest Analyses and proposed treaty actions and related Explanatory Statements presented or deemed to be presented to the Parliament;

b)                 any question relating to a treaty or other international instrument, whether or not negotiated to completion, referred to the committee by:

(i)                 either House of the Parliament, or

(ii)              a Minister; and

such other matters as may be referred to the committee by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and on such conditions as the Minister may prescribe.

List of abbreviations

List of recommendations

2  Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Recommendation 1

The Committee recommends that the Government consider expanding the role of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commissioner to enable the Commissioner to provide Parliament with an annual report on compliance and implementation of the Convention and, if also ratified, the Optional Protocol.

Recommendation 2

The Committee recommends that a review be carried out of the relevant provisions of the Migration Act and the administrative implementation of migration policy, and that any necessary action be taken to ensure that there is no direct or indirect discrimination against persons with disabilities in contravention of the Convention.

3  Australia - Chile Free Trade Agreement

Recommendation 3

The Committee recommends that, prior to commencing negotiations for bilateral or regional trade agreements, the Government table in Parliament a document setting out its priorities and objectives.  The document should include independent assessments of the costs and benefits.  Such assessments should consider the economic regional, social, cultural, regulatory and environmental impacts which are expected to arise.

Recommendation 4

The Committee recommends that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade undertake and publish a review of the operation of the Australia – Chile Free Trade Agreement no later than two years after its commencement in order to assess the ongoing relevance of concerns expressed about the Agreement, such as the maintenance of sanitary and phytosanitary measures, impact on the horticulture industries, intellectual property, 457 visas, and labour and environmental standards.

Recommendation 5

The Committee supports the Australia – Chile Free Trade Agreement and recommends that binding treaty action be taken.

4  Treaty between Australia and the State of the United Arab Emirates on Defence Cooperation

Recommendation 6

The Committee recommends that in any specific arrangement concerning the exchange of Defence personnel, the Australian Government seeks to ensure that Australian personnel are protected from corporal and capital punishment under United Arab Emirates law.

Recommendation 7

The Committee supports the Agreement between the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the Government of Australia on Defence Cooperation and recommends that binding treaty action be taken.

5  Headquarters Agreement with the Secretariat to the Agreement on the
    Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels

Recommendation 8

The Committee supports the Headquarters Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Secretariat to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels and recommends that binding treaty action be taken.

6  Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

Recommendation 9

The Committee supports the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and recommends that binding treaty action be taken.

7  Agreement between Australia and the European Union on the Processing and Transfer of European Union Sourced Passenger Name Record Data

Recommendation 10

The Committee supports the Agreement between Australia and the European Union on the Processing and Transfer of European Union Sourced Passenger Name Record Data and recommends that binding treaty action be taken.

8  Treaty between Australia and the French Republic regarding Defence Cooperation and Status of Forces

Recommendation 11

The Committee supports the Agreement with the French Republic Regarding Defence Cooperation and Status of Forces and recommends that binding treaty action be taken.

9  Treaty between Australia and the European Community on Certain Aspects of Air Services

Recommendation 12

The Committee supports the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the European Union on Certain Aspects of Air Services and recommends that binding treaty action be taken.

Report 92

Treaty Tabled on 4 June 2008

Recommendation 1

The Treaties Committee supports the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and recommends that binding treaty action be taken.