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Chapter 1 Introduction

Purpose of the report

1. This report contains advice to Parliament on the review by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties of four treaty actions tabled in Parliament on 28 October and 24 November 2010, and twelve treaty actions referred to the Committee on 16 November 2010. These treaty actions comprise:

• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Japan concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Australian Defence Force and the Self-Defense Forces of Japan (Tokyo, 19 May 2010)
  
  
• Air Services Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil (Brasilia, 21 April 2010)
  
  
• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United Mexican States relating to Air Services (Mexico City, 9 April 2010)
  
  
• Air Services Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Turkey (Ankara, 28 April 2010)
  
  
• An Exchange of Notes amending the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam relating to Air Services
  (Canberra, 30 April 1992)
  
  
• Agreement between Australia and the Kingdom of Spain relating to Air Services (Canberra, 24 June 2009)
  
  
• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Swiss Federal Council relating to Air Services (Canberra, 28 November 2008)
  
  
• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning Air Services (London, 10 July 2008)
  
  
• Agreement between Australia and the European Union on the Security of Classified Information (Brussels, 13 January 2010)
  
  
• Second Protocol to the Agreement between Australia and the Republic of Austria on Social Security (Vienna, 17 February 2010)
  
  
• Universal Postal Union: Eighth Additional Protocol to the Constitution of 10 July 1964, as Amended; Convention and Final Protocol; First Additional Protocol to the General Regulations; Postal Payment Services Agreement (Geneva, 12 August 2008)
  
  
• Amendments to the Convention on the International Mobile Satellite Organization adopted at the Twentieth Session of the Assembly (Malta, 2 October 2008)
  
  
• Convention between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Turkey for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with Respect to Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion (Ankara, 28 April 2010)
  
  
• World Wine Trade Group Agreement on Requirements for Wine Labelling (Canberra, 23 January 2007)
  
  
• The Agreement Establishing the Advisory Centre on WTO Law
  (Seattle, 30 November 1999)
  
  
• Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976
  (London, 19 November 1976)[1]

2. One of the powers of the Committee set out in its resolution of appointment is to inquire into and report on matters arising from treaties and related National Interest Analyses (NIAs) presented. This report deals with inquiries conducted under this power, and consequently the report refers frequently to the treaties and their associated NIAs. Copies of each treaty and its associated NIA may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:

www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct

3. Copies of each treaty action and the NIAs 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

4. The reviews contained in this report were advertised in the national press and on the Committee’s website. Invitations to lodge submissions were also sent to all State Premiers, Chief Ministers, Presiding Officers of parliaments 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.
   
   
5. A number of treaties in this report were tabled in the 42nd Parliament. On 16 November 2010 these treaties were referred to the Committee for review in the 43rd Parliament. The Committee of the 42nd Parliament took evidence on treaties on 21 June 2010 in Canberra and 29 June 2010 in Sydney. The Committee of the 43rd Parliament took further evidence on 22 November 2010, and on 7 and 25 February 2011 in Canberra. A list of witnesses who appeared at the public hearings is at Appendix B.
   
   
6. Transcripts of evidence from the public hearing may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website under the date of tabling:

21 June 2010

www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/12may2010/hearings.htm

29 June 2010

www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/15june2010/hearings.htm

22 November 2010, 7 February 2011 and 25 February 2011

www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/16november2010/hearings.htm

[1]               Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, House of Representatives, Votes and Proceedings No. 11, p. 164, No. 18, pp. 242-243; Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, Senate, Journals of the Senate, No. 9, p.295, No. 14, pp. 407–408.

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