The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has today tabled a report strongly recommending the Government ratify the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 1 September 2021

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has today tabled a report strongly recommending the Government ratify the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Recognising the global public health dangers posed by mercury, and the fact that it is a toxic pollutant with the capacity for long-range atmospheric transport, the Convention implements a global framework for controlling mercury. The Convention contains measures to limit emissions and reduce the use of mercury, control the supply and trade of mercury, and ensure mercury waste is disposed of and managed safely. The Convention entered into force in 2017 and has been ratified by 132 countries to date. Committee Chair Mr Dave Sharma MP said ‘The Minamata Convention is a global response to a chemical of global concern. Mercury is a toxic element that cannot be destroyed. There is no safe level of exposure to mercury.’ The Committee recommended the Government reassess the need to seek an exemption to allow for the continued importation of High Pressure Mercury Vapour (HPMV) lamps into Australia. ‘Industry is already transitioning away rapidly from HPMV lamps, and to seek such an exemption would place Australia in poor international company,’ said Mr Sharma. The Committee also recommended ratification of the OCCAR Managed Programmes Participation Agreement. OCCAR facilitates cooperation in defence materiel acquisition by coordinating, controlling and implementing armament programs assigned to it by its member states, including the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Ratification would benefit Australia through access to a global procurement network, economies of scale, shared expertise and risk reduction. The Report can be found on the Committee website, along with further information on the inquiry. Media enquiries Ms Jodie Mathews, Office of Mr Dave Sharma MP 02 9327 3988 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that poses a global threat to human health and the environment. The Minamata Convention creates a common platform for global action to reduce mercury’s use and impact, committing Parties to address the full lifecycle of mercury, including its safe disposal.

Media release issue date: Monday, 9 August 2021

Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that poses a global threat to human health and the environment. The Minamata Convention creates a common platform for global action to reduce mercury’s use and impact, committing Parties to address the full lifecycle of mercury, including its safe disposal.   In the 1950s an industrial company in the Japanese seaside city of Minamata was found to have released untreated mercury waste into the adjoining saltwater bay for decades. The mercury contaminated the fish and shellfish stocks, and caused the death and poisoning of thousands of local residents. This environmental and public health catastrophe led to improved Japanese regulations and, importantly,  the establishment of the Minamata Convention.     Australia’s Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will be hearing expert evidence and reviewing Australia’s potential ratification of the Minamata Convention at a public hearing on 9 August. Committee Chair Mr Dave Sharma MP said “Ratifying the Minamata Convention would address an important global public health risk, align Australia with our major trading partners, and provide regulatory certainty for Australian businesses”. At its 9 August hearing the Committee will also examine the Framework Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation, known as OCCAR. OCCAR is a European organisation that facilitates international cooperation in the development and procurement of defence equipment. The proposed Agreement would allow Australia to participate in OCCAR managed programmes. Public hearing details Date: Monday 9 August 2021 Time: 11.00 am – 12.30 pm AEST COVID-19 restrictions mean the hearing can be accessed online only. Further information on the inquiry can be found on the Committee website. Media inquiries Ms Jodie Mathews, Office of Mr Dave Sharma MP 02 9327 3988 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.