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 seven treaty actions tabled in Parliament on 11 October 2005[1], 28 February[2] and 28 March 2006.[3] These treaty actions are:

11 October 2005[4]

n    Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection

28 February 2006[5]

n    Exchange of Notes Constituting a Treaty between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Singapore to amend the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement

28 March 2006[6]

n    Protocol of 2003 to the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage

n    International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage

n    Agreement establishing the Pacific Islands Forum

n    Amendments to Annexes VIII and IX of the Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Basel Convention)

n    Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand in relation to Mutual Recognition of Securities Offerings

Briefing documents

1.2                   The advice in this Report refers to the National Interest Analyses (NIAs) prepared for the proposed treaty actions. These documents are prepared by the Government agency (or agencies) responsible for the administration of Australia’s responsibilities under each treaty. Copies of the NIAs may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:

11 October 2005
February 2006
28 March 2006

1.3                   Copies of treaty actions and 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

1.4                   The Review contained in this report was advertised in the national press and on the Committee’s website.[7] Letters were also sent inviting comment from all State Premiers, Chief Ministers, Presiding Members of Parliament and from individuals who have expressed an interest in being kept informed of proposed treaty actions such as these. A list of submissions and their authors is at Appendix A.

1.5                   The Committee also received evidence at public hearings held on 7 November 2005, 27 February, 27 March and 8 May 2006. A list of witnesses who appeared before the Committee at these public hearings is at Appendix B. A transcript of evidence from the public hearings may be obtained from the Committee Secretariat or accessed through the Committee’s website at:

11 October 2005

February 2006

28 March 2006