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.[2]
   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. This report contains the Committee’s review of the following major treaty actions:

• Nauru-Australia Treaty
• Partial Revision of the 2019 Radio Regulations, as incorporated into the Final Acts of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023
  7. The Nauru-Australia Treaty establishes a comprehensive partnership focused on economic, security, and governance cooperation between the two nations. It reflects Australia’s strategic interest in maintaining its role as a key security and development partner in the Pacific, particularly as the region’s diplomatic and strategic environment becomes increasingly complex due to the engagement of a broader range of foreign states. In return, Australia commits over $140 million in support over five years to bolster Nauru’s fiscal stability, policing, and economic resilience.
  8. The Partial Revision of the 2019 Radio Regulations, as incorporated into the Final Acts of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 aims to contemporise international radio frequency management in line with technological advances. The Partial Revision introduces key changes including spectrum allocations for satellite broadband, space weather services, and maritime safety systems. The Treaty reinforces Australia's commitment to regional cooperation in communications technologies.
  9. The Report also contains one minor treaty action:
• Renewal of and Modification to the New Arrangements to Borrow
  10. A copy of the treaties considered in this report and the associated documents may be accessed through the Committee’s website at: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties.

Footnotes

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

[2]JSCOT, ‘Resolution of Appointment, https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties/Resolution.