Chapter 1 Introduction

Purpose of the Report

1.1                   This report contains advice to Parliament on the review by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties of three treaty actions tabled in Parliament on 26 November and 4 December 2008. These treaty actions are:

n  Agreement between the Government of Australia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on the Security of Information (New York, 26 September 2007)[1]

n  Amendment, Adopted 17 November 2008, to Annex I of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNSECO) International Convention Against Doping in Sport (19 October 2005)

n  Amendment, Adopted 17 November 2008, to Annex II of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNSECO) International Convention Against Doping in Sport (19 October 2005)[2].

1.2                   The report also considers another proposed treaty action, an amendment to Annex 1 of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, referred to the Committee by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts on 19 January 2009.

1.3                   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:

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=jsct/26november2008/tor.htm

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=jsct/4december2008/tor.htm

1.4                   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

1.5                   The reviews contained in this report were advertised in the national press and on the Committee’s website.[3] 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.

1.6                   The Committee also received evidence at a public hearing on 23 February 2009 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:

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=jsct/26november2008/hearings.htm