1. Introduction
   1. The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) was appointed by the Commonwealth Parliament to inquire into any treaty to which Australia has become a signatory, upon the treaty being tabled in the Parliament or as referred by a Minister.[1]
   2. The Committee’s resolution of appointment empowers it to inquire into and report on:

1. 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;
2. any question relating to a treaty or other international instrument, whether or not negotiated to completion, referred to the committee by:

1. either House of the Parliament; or
2. a Minister; and

3. 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.
   3. Prior to tabling, major treaty actions are subject to a National Interest Analysis (NIA), prepared by the Australian Government. The NIA 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.
   4. The Committee takes account of the NIA in its examination of the treaty text, in addition to other evidence taken during the inquiry.
   5. 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 do not arise.
   6. The report contains the Committee’s review of one major treaty action: Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005).
   7. The Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) defines countries’ obligations and rights in responding to public health emergencies of international concern, through pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. This includes provisions which increase Member States’ access to essential health products and financing required in public health emergencies. The amendments aim to facilitate greater cooperation between Australia and international partners by encouraging collective action and defining a ‘pandemic’ emergency alert level.
   8. A copy of the treaty 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
   9. The report also contains one minor treaty action: Amendment to the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006.

Footnotes

[1]Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT), ‘Role of the Committee’, www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties/Role_of_the_Committee.