1.1
This report contains the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties’ review of the following treaty actions:
Agreement between Australia and Japan concerning the Facilitation of Reciprocal Access and Cooperation between the Australian Defence Force and the Self-Defense Forces of Japan (Canberra and Tokyo, 6 January 2022)
Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education (Paris, 25 November 2019) (Global Convention).
1.2
The Committee’s inquiry into these treaties lapsed at the dissolution of the 46th Parliament and the treaties were re-referred to the Committee by the Minister for Foreign Affairs at the beginning of the 47th Parliament on 1 August 2022.
1.3
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.
1.4
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.
1.5
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.
1.6
The Committee takes account of this document in its examination of the treaty text, in addition to other evidence taken during the inquiry program.
1.7
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/Australia-JapanRAA
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties/Globalconvention.
1.8
This report also contains the Committee’s review of one minor treaty action:
Rectification of Australia's World Trade Organization Schedule of Tariff Concessions (Schedule I-Australia).
Conduct of the Committee’s review
Australia-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement
1.9
The inquiry was advertised on the Committee website on 5 August 2022. The Committee did not request further submissions, instead deciding to make use of the submissions received to the inquiry in the 46th Parliament.
1.10
Six submissions were received in the 46th Parliament, and a further five submissions or supplementary submissions were received following re-referral of the treaty in the 47th Parliament.
1.11
The Committee held two public hearings in Canberra and via videoconference on Monday, 5 September 2022 and Wednesday, 12 October 2022. The transcripts of evidence from the public hearings may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website.
1.12
A list of submissions received is at Appendix A and a list of witnesses who appeared at the public hearings is at Appendix B.
Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications
1.13
The inquiry was advertised on the Committee website on 5 August 2022. The Committee decided to make use of the submissions received to the inquiry in the 46th Parliament, and requested the Department of Education provide a submission to update the Committee on any developments regarding the Global Convention.
1.14
Six submissions were received in the 46th Parliament, and a further two submissions were received following re-referral of the treaty in the 47th Parliament.
1.15
The Committee did not hold any public hearings into the Global Convention. Instead, it relied on evidence obtained during a public hearing in the 46th Parliament in Canberra and via videoconference/teleconference on Monday, 7 February 2022. The transcript of evidence from the public hearing may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website.
1.16
A list of submissions received is at Appendix A and a list of witnesses who appeared at the public hearing is at Appendix B.