Defence, space tracking and relations with Jordan

THE Treaties Committee tabled two reports last week dealing with a range of issues.

The first report reviews three treaties including an agreement with Singapore that will make sure the Singapore Air Force’s Flying Training Institute can continue to operate out of the RAAF Base at Pearce in Western Australia.

Also dealing with defence matters, a new agreement between the Solomon Islands and Australia will replace the RAMSI treaty. The Australian Defence Force and Australian Federal Police will be able to respond rapidly and effectively to any requests from the Solomon Islands for help in the event of a major security or humanitarian emergency.

Committee Chair, Stuart Robert MP, said that Australia’s leadership of the RAMSI operation had provided invaluable assistance to the Solomon Islands for fourteen years.

“RAMSI concluded in 2017. It was very successful but the Solomon Islands still face development challenges. This agreement will allow Australia to provide ongoing support to help the country to build long-term stability,” Mr Robert said.

Under a series of treaties, Australia has provided vital support to America’s space program since the 1960s and a new agreement consolidates the existing arrangements. Ongoing collaboration between the CSIRO and NASA will be able to continue for another 25 years.

A second report deals exclusively with Australia’s relationship with Jordan, strengthening both countries’ ability to combat transnational crime and terrorism. An extradition treaty provides for the exchange of suspected criminals between the two countries while mutual legal assistance will improve the sharing of evidence for criminal investigations. 

“These two agreements will improve Australia’s capacity to prevent criminals and terrorists from evading capture by living or hiding evidence in another country,” Mr Robert said.

The two reports are available from the Committee’s website:

• Report 176: Air Force Training—Singapore; Deployment of Personnel—Solomon Islands; Space Tracking—USA
• Report 177: Extradition—Jordan; Mutual Legal Assistance—Jordan

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