COMMITTEES

Ms CHESTERS (Bendigo) (16:14): On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present the committee's report, incorporating a dissenting report, entitled Report 228—AUKUS UK collaboration; UK and Indonesia defence treaties. Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). Ms CHESTERS: by leave—Today I rise to make a statement on the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties report into the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for Defence and Security Cooperation; the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on Cooperation in the Field of Defence; and the eight minor treaty actions for the Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974.

The committee has been busy! The AUKUS UK collaboration establishes a legal framework between Australia and the United Kingdom for the joint development of the new class of submarines, the SSN-AUKUS. The framework addresses costs, liability, intellectual property rights and UK submarine visits and rotations.

At the public hearing held in October, the committee heard evidence from witnesses and identified a number of key questions regarding the agreement. As outlined in the report, these questions focus on the delivery of the SSN-AUKUS submarines, the readiness of Australia's workforce, potential risks surrounding nuclear material, and questions regarding nonproliferation.

At the public hearing, the committee heard that Australia will deliver its first domestically built submarine by the early 2040s. It will receive its first SSN-AUKUS from the UK in the 2030s. The development and design of these submarines will create approximately 20,000 jobs in the defence, public service, industry and advanced trades sectors.

The committee also heard about a dedicated pathway to facilitate the entry of skilled workers into Australia specifically to support the SSN-AUKUS workforce. Throughout the inquiry the committee examined the questions raised regarding nuclear waste and nonproliferation. The committee was pleased to hear that environmental monitoring programs are in place, and community consultation will occur and continue to occur regarding future disposal locations for nuclear waste management.

The UK defence treaty updates the 2014 Defence and Security Cooperation Treaty between Australia and the UK. The updated treaty strengthens collaboration in key areas, including cybersecurity, military capabilities and legal frameworks for visiting forces. The treaty also aims to address emerging global security challenges.

Throughout the inquiry, the committee found that this treaty complements existing bilateral and multilateral arrangements, including the aforementioned AUKUS treaties. The committee also examined the treaty's potential for capability uplifts, and opportunities to strengthen Australia's industrial base through collaborative projects. The committee agreed that the treaty's provisions for the facilitation of joint training and operational readiness are a practical approach to bilateral defence cooperation.

The Indonesia defence treaty replaces an existing arrangement between Australia and Indonesia with one that is binding under international law. This treaty will increase opportunities for defence collaboration and stipulates how Australia and Indonesia will conduct future defence cooperation. During the inquiry, the committee sought to examine the new treaty, including Indonesia's existing arrangements with other nations and safeguards for sensitive information.

At the public hearing, the committee heard that the treaty also provides a framework of protections for classified information shared between the two nations. The committee concluded that the treaty's provisions for joint training and technical collaboration offer a constructive and principled base for future cooperation. These measures will deepen Australia's ongoing defence relationship with Indonesia, one of our closest neighbours, and support collaborative defence capability.

The report also contains eight minor treaty actions for the Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974. These amendments are technical amendments and updates to standards that support safe construction, equipment and operation of ships. The committee found the eight minor treaty actions are expected to have limited practical and legal financial effect on Australia, as we already have high safety standards.

The committee recommends ratification of all treaties examined in this report. On behalf of the committee, I commend the report to the House.