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:

• Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for Defence and Security Cooperation.
• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on Cooperation in the Field of Defence.
  7. The Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland provides a legal framework, addressing costs, liability and IP rights, for the joint development of the new class of submarines, SSN-AUKUS, by Australia and the UK. The Agreement also supports UK submarine visits and rotations in Australia. It aligns with nuclear non-proliferation obligations and existing treaties.
  8. The Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for Defence and Security Cooperation updates the 2014 Defence and Security Cooperation Treaty. It aims to deepen operational integration and address emerging global security challenges. The updated Agreement strengthens collaboration in key areas such as cybersecurity, military capabilities, and legal frameworks for visiting forces. It also reflects the United Kingdom’s expanding military footprint in the Indo-Pacific and aligns with similar treaties Australia maintains with France and Türkiye.
  9. The Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on Cooperation in the Field of Defence updates the Defence Cooperation Arrangement. It aims to enhance defence collaboration by enabling more complex joint activities, mutual access for cooperative operations, personnel exchanges, technical cooperation, and legal protections. It strengthens bilateral ties through improved interoperability in areas such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, disaster relief, logistics, education, and defence industry.
  10. The Report also contains eight minor treaty actions:
• Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 Resolution MSC.520(106)
• Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 Resolution MSC.522(106)
• Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 Resolution MSC.532(107)
• Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 Resolution MSC.533(107)
• Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 Resolution MSC.534(107)
• Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 Resolution MSC.549(108)
• Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 Resolution MSC.550(108)
• Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 Resolution MSC.559(108).
  11. 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.