Purpose of the report
1.1
This report contains the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties’ review of the following treaty actions:
Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Singapore concerning the Republic of Singapore Air Force Flying Training Institute Detachment at Royal Australian Air Force Base Pearce (Singapore, 21 August 2017);
Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Solomon Islands Concerning the Basis for Deployment of Police, Armed Forces and Other Personnel to Solomon Islands (Canberra, 14 August 2017); and
Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America for Space Vehicle Tracking and Communication Facilities (Washington D.C., 17 October 2017).
1.2
The Committee’s resolution of appointment empowers it to inquire into any treaty action to which Australia has become a signatory, on the treaty being tabled in Parliament.
1.3
Treaties, and matters arising from them, are evaluated to ensure that ratification is in the national interest, and that unintended or negative effects on Australia will not arise.
1.4
Prior to tabling, major treaty actions are subject to a National Interest Analysis (NIA), prepared by the Government. This document considers arguments for and against the treaty and outlines the treaty obligations and any consultations undertaken with State and Territory Governments, Federal and State and Territory agencies, and with industry and non-government organisations.
1.5
A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) may accompany the NIA. The RIS provides an account of the regulatory impact of the treaty action where adoption of the treaty will involve a change in the regulatory environment for Australian business. The treaties examined in this report did not require a RIS.
1.6
Copies of the treaty actions considered in this report and their associated documentation may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties/AirForce-Singapore
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties/Personnel-SolomonIsl
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties/SpaceTracking-USA
1.7
This Report also contains the Committee’s views on five minor treaty actions:
Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended Resolution MSC.404(96);
Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended Resolution MSC.409(97);
Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978 as amended Resolution MSC. 416(97);
Amendments to Part A of the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code Resolution MSC. 417(97); and
Amendments to Annex I of the International Convention Against Doping in Sports.
Conduct of the Committee’s review
1.8
The treaty actions reviewed in this Report were advertised on the Committee’s website from the date of tabling. The Committee received one submission for each of the inquiries.
1.9
The Committee held a public hearing into the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Singapore concerning the Republic of Singapore Air Force Flying Training Institute Detachment at Royal Australian Air Force Base Pearce and Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Solomon Islands Concerning the Basis for Deployment of Police, Armed Forces and Other Personnel to Solomon Islands on 29 November 2017 and a public hearing into the remaining treaty on 4 December 2017.
1.10
The transcripts of evidence from the public hearings may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website. A list of submissions received is at Appendix A. A list of witnesses who appeared at the public hearings is at Appendix B.