COMMITTEES
Ms CHESTERS (Bendigo) (09:01): On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present the committee's report 234: Jakarta treaty; Spain classified defence information; and WIPO GRATK treaty. Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). Ms CHESTERS: by leave—I rise today to make a short statement on Joint Standing Committee on Treaties report 234.
This report includes the committee's consideration of multiple treaties—the Treaty between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on Common Security, also known as the Jakarta treaty; the Agreement between Australia and the Kingdom of Spain for the Mutual Protection of Classified Information of Defence Interest; and the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge—and a minor treaty action relating to amendments to appendix 1 and appendix 2 of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.
The Jakarta treaty commits Australia and Indonesian leaders to regularly consult with each other on matters that affect our common security. It also obliges us to consult where adverse challenges to our common security interests arise and to promote cooperative activities related to security. During the inquiry, the committee investigated subjects for consultation under the Jakarta treaty.
The committee also found that the class of topics is ultimately at Australia's and Indonesia's discretion and that consultation does not impact each other's country's freedoms to manage their own domestic affairs. The committee also inquired into whether the Jakarta treaty has residual benefits in Australia's relationship with other regional allies. The committee was pleased to hear that the Jakarta treaty is well supported by Australian partners, who see it as positive cooperation between two regional players, as well as others in the region.
By ratifying the Jakarta treaty, Australia deepens our relationship with a critical close partner and strengthens cooperation on security challenges we share. In doing so, we build a stronger partnership, helping ensure a more stable and secure region not just for our own country but for others in the region and for the future. The second treaty tabled today, the security-of-information agreement with Spain, ensures that classified information exchanged between the countries is appropriately protected.
It contains rules governing how classified information is to be used, accessed, and protected, as well as provisions to ensure compliance. During the inquiry, the committee investigated how the agreement will operate in practice. The committee found that personnel will be expected to treat any exchanged information in accordance with their own country's equivalent classification standards, and that consequently there are no required system changes, upgrades or costs to implement the treaty.
By ratifying the security-of-information agreement, Australia ensures our growing defence collaboration with Spain is based on a stable legal foundation. The WIPO treaty on genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge creates an international framework. It requires patent applicants to disclose when an invention is based on genetic resources, such as plants, animals or microorganisms, or on associated traditional knowledge.
By increasing transparency about the origins of inventions, the treaty aims to ensure First Nations knowledge and innovation are recognised and respected. This gives effect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' rights under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Australia is proud to have been a strong advocate for this treaty.
The committee recognises the active consultations with First Nations as well as with plant science industry stakeholders. We recognise the importance of working with both groups to ensure the implementation of the treaty is done in the way in which it is meant. The report also includes a minor treaty action relating to the Amendments to appendices I and II of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.These amendments add 40 new species or subspecies of migratory animals to the convention's two appendices, either because they are endangered, or because their conservation status would be improved through international cooperation.
Australia will take its obligations towards 18 of these species seriously, reinforcing our commitment to protect and conserve migratory species. The committee would like to thank the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Defence, IP Australia and all other witnesses and submitters for their engagement throughout the three inquiries. In particular, I'd like to acknowledge representatives of the agricultural industry who spoke with us frankly and honestly about the implementation of one particular treaty, and their willingness to coordinate with First Nations people.
Now we can best advance the interests of both industry and First Nations people in relation to the treaty on First Nations knowledge. I'd also like to thank the committee members for their participation and engagement in all three treaties. The committee recommends ratification of all four treaties examined within this report.
On behalf of the committee, I commend this report to the House.