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Treaties Committee recommends ratification of four major treaties

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending the ratification of four major treaty actions.

The major treaty recommendations are:

  • Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Fiji on Cooperation in the Field of Defence and the Status of Visiting Forces (Australia-Fiji agreement);
  • Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and associated side-letters (UK Accession to the CPTPP);
  • Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Agreement relating to Supply Chain Resilience (IPEF Agreement); and
  • International Labour Organization Convention No. 191: Safe and Healthy Working Environment (Consequential Amendments) Convention (ILO 191).

The Australia-Fiji agreement builds on Australia’s relationship with Fiji through enabling more frequent and sophisticated defence cooperation between the two countries. The agreement enables Australia and Fiji to work together on maritime security issues, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping operations, co-deployments, and the training of military personnel.

Deputy Chair of the Committee, Phillip Thompson MP, said the Australia-Fiji agreement "strengthens the mutually beneficial relationship with a key defence partner of Australia. It builds on existing agreements and provides a comprehensive, reciprocal, and legally binding framework for the status of visiting forces and civilians, and information sharing."

The UK Accession to the CPTPP treaty enables the UK to accede to a free trade agreement (FTA) that eliminates 98 percent of tariffs in a trade zone that represents a combined GDP of US$14.6 trillion. The UK would be the first country to accede to CPTPP and its accession expands the trade partnership beyond the Pacific region.

Mr Thompson said, "The UK’s accession strengthens economic and strategic ties between Australia and the UK and builds on the significant benefits of the Australia-UK FTA. This treaty enhances trade and investment opportunities for Australian exporters of goods and services and aligns with Australia's broader national interests."

The IPEF Agreement increases Australia’s supply chain resilience by establishing international policy levers, sending market signals on diversification, promoting an international evidence-based approach, and ensuring a systemic and coordinated approach to disruptions.

"The IPEF aims to enhance collaboration to prevent, mitigate and prepare for supply chain disruptions within the Indo-Pacific. Australia experienced supply chain disruptions during the Covid-19 pandemic and IPEF’s collaborative approach will help minimise future vulnerabilities and mitigate potential risks," Mr Thompson said.

ILO 191 amends ILO Conventions and Protocols to ensure the right to a safe and healthy working environment is reflected in existing ILO instruments. Ratification of the treaty will ensure Australia meets its obligations as an ILO Member to respect, promote and realise this right.

Mr Thompson said , "ILO 191 demonstrates Australia’s commitment to workplace health and safety as a fundamental principle and right at work. Australia has a strong reputation within the Asia Pacific with respect to supporting and advocating for WHS matters and ratification of this treaty ensures that our reputation is maintained."

The report can be found on the Committee website, along with further information on the inquiries.

 

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Redress Scheme inquiry ending soon

A PARLIAMENTARY committee inquiring into the operation of the National Redress Scheme is expecting to finish its inquiry in October 2024.

If you have been thinking about making a written submission, you should send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible. Submissions will close on September 2, 2024.

The National Redress Scheme was established in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Committee’s role is to oversee implementation of the Royal Commission’s redress-related recommendations.

Making a submission

To make a submission or find out more, email the Committee Secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or check the Committee’s webpage.

Full details of what the inquiry is examining can be found in the terms of reference on the Committee’s website. An easy English guide is also available.

A discussion paper aims to provide guidance to individuals and organisations interested in making submissions to the inquiry.

The committee can be requested to keep submissions confidential.

Planned public hearing

The committee is planning a public hearing at 8:00am next Wednesday, August 21, 2024. The Department of Social Services has been invited to respond to evidence heard at a recent public hearing.

Check the committee’s website next week for details.

 

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Parliament must pass CFMEU administration legislation say Master Builders

NEW LEGISLATION to place all construction and general division branches of the CFMEU into administration has been introduced into Parliament.

Peak building and construction industry association, Master Builders Australia welcomed the legislation as an important first step to ridding the industry of toxic and lawbreaking culture.

“We urge all parties to support the legislation currently before them and stress this is only the first in a series of measures that are required to stamp out this culture once and for all,” Master Builders CEO Denita Wawn said.

“The CFMEU has breached workplace law 2,600 times in more than 20 years, accumulating $24 million in fines.

“After decades of this behaviour, it’s clear the union cannot clean up its own backyard, and we think the use of independent administrators, as a first step, is the most effective way to achieve meaningful and lasting change.

“History has shown us that deregistration of construction unions doesn’t work. What we need is long-term, lasting cultural change which means changing the people who promote and thrive in this environment," Ms Wawn said.

“Calls for yet another review or inquiry, while well intentioned, will not help government, law enforcement and regulators get on with the job, because we already know what the problems are, how they arise, and how to fix them.

“We need action now. It must be swift; it must be permanent," she said. "The building and construction industry can no longer be a political football.

“Following the passage of this legislation, the Federal Government should move to establish a dedicated building and construction industry watchdog with real teeth.

“To ensure the regulator works effectively, it must have oversight on a range of matters, including workplace, safety, competition, corporations, governance and training.

“It would also be home to a dedicated cross-jurisdictional police unit to oversee and coordinate a strong law enforcement presence in the building and construction industry," Ms Wawn said.

“We thank Minister Murray Watt for working constructively with the industry to undertake meaningful changes to address the systemic issues within the CFMEU."

www.masterbuilders.com.au

 

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Intelligence and Security Committee supports listing Ansar Allah as a terrorist organisation

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has presented its Review of the listing of Ansar Allah as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code.

Ansar Allah, commonly known as the Houthi movement, is a violent extremist organisation based in Yemen, which has conducted numerous violent attacks against Yemeni government forces and civilians. In addition, Ansar Allah has targeted foreign states and recently attacked numerous foreign-owned vessels passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait between the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.

The report examines the listing of Ansar Allah as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code for the first time.

The committee concluded that it was satisfied that the appropriate process had been followed and that Ansar Allah met the definition of a terrorist organisation. Specifically, the organisation is directly engaged in preparing, planning assisting in or fostering the doing of a terrorist acts.

Chair of the Committee, Peter Khalil MP said, "The committee agrees that in the interest of protecting national and global security, it is appropriate to list Ansar Allah as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code."

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

 

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Committee supports passage of crime-related laws

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (the committee) has today tabled its Advisory Report on the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2024.

The Bill amends and clarifies the intended operation of various crime-related laws, including:

  • expressly authorising police, when executing search warrants, to seize digital assets, such as cryptocurrency;
  • extending the investigative and freezing powers under existing proceeds of crime laws to apply to digital currency exchanges;
  • increasing the value of the Commonwealth ‘penalty unit’ from $313 to $330;
  • creating a position of Communications Security Coordinator in the Department of Home Affairs;
  • amending information-sharing provisions to ensure state-based oversight bodies for integrity agencies can access material that has been lawfully intercepted by the agencies they oversee.

The committee recommended that the Bill be passed by the Parliament, subject to one technical amendment to ensure that the Bill’s changes in relation to the Parliamentary Inspector of the Corruption and Crime Commission of Western Australia are fully effective.

The committee also made two recommendations for future reforms, including:

  • that the government consider whether state-based oversight bodies should be given access to stored communications and telecommunications data held by the integrity agencies within their jurisdictions; and
  • amendments to ensure that Ministerial declarations of new entities authorised to access stored communications or telecommunications data are subject to review.

Peter Khalil MP, Chair of the PJCIS, said, "The committee welcomes the measures in this Bill, which will help ensure that key law enforcement and security legislation remains effective, fit-for-purpose and subject to appropriate oversight.

“The committee looks forward to continuing to be engaged in the review of legislation to reform Australia’s electronic surveillance powers.”

The full report and further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

 

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