House of Representatives Committees

Terms of Reference

The Treaties Committee will conducted an inquiry into the nature and scope of Australia's relationship with the World Trade Organisation. The Committee's examination will included:

opportunities for community involvement in developing Australia's negotiating positions on matters with the WTO;
the transparency and accountability of WTO operations and decision making;
the effectiveness of the WTO's dispute settlement procedures and the ease of access to these procedures;
Australia's capacity to undertake WTO advocacy;
the involvement of peak bodies, industry groups and external lawyers in conducting WTO disputes;
the relationship between the WTO and regional economic arrangements;
the relationship between WTO agreements and other multilateral agreements, including those on trade and related matters, and on environmental, human rights and labour standards; and
the extent to which social, cultural and environmental considerations influence WTO priorities and decision making.