Report 91 Treaties tabled on 12 March 2008

Purpose of the Report

This report contains advice to Parliament on the review by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties of six treaty actions tabled in Parliament on 12 March 2008.¹ These treaty actions are:

• Treaty on Extradition between Australia and the State of the United Arab Emirates (Hobart, 26 July 2007)²
• Treaty between Australia and the State of the United Arab Emirates on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (Hobart, 26 July 2007)³
• Convention between Australia and Japan for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on Income, and Protocol (Tokyo, 31 January 2008)
• Film Co-Production agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China (Beijing, 27 August 2007)
• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Singapore concerning the co-production of films (Sydney, 7 September 2007)
• Fourth Agreement to Extend the 1987 Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (Vienna, 22 June 2006)

Briefing documents

The Report refers frequently to the National Interest Analysis (NIA) prepared for each proposed treaty action. This document is prepared by the Government agency (or agencies) responsible for the administration of Australia’s responsibilities under each treaty. Copies of each NIA may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:

www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/12march2008/tor.htm

Copies of each treaty action and NIA may also be obtained from the Australian Treaties Library maintained on the internet by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Australian Treaties Library is accessible through the Committee’s website or directly at:

www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/

Conduct of the Committee’s review

The reviews contained in this report were advertised in the national press and on the Committee’s website.⁴ Invitations to lodge submissions were also sent to all State Premiers, Chief Ministers, Presiding Members of Parliament and to individuals who have expressed an interest in being kept informed of proposed treaty actions. Submissions received and their authors are listed at Appendix A.

The Committee also received evidence at a public hearing on 8 May 2008 in Canberra. A list of witnesses who appeared before the public hearing is at Appendix B. Transcripts of evidence from public hearings may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/12march2008/hearings.htm