COMMITTEES

Ms CHESTERS (Bendigo) (09:05): On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present the committee's Report 235: the NSPO agreement; and air services agreements with Cambodia, Kiribati andNaoero. Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). Ms CHESTERS: by leave—I rise today to make a statement on the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties's Report 235.

This report includes the committee's consideration of four treaties. They are: the agreement between the government of Australia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Support Procurement Organisation on the acquisition and support cooperation; the agreement between the government of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the government of Australia in relation to air services; the agreement between the government of Australia and the government of Kiribati relating to Airservices; and the agreement between the government of Australia and the government of the Republic of Naoero relating to air services.

It is fortuitous that I am following the member for Robertson after he presented his report in relation to their recent visit to NATO. This report also relates to NATO, and, in particular, the agreement creates a legal framework governing NATO Support Procurement Organisation's legal status in Australia as well as its relations within Australia. This framework will provide Australia with streamlined access to the many programs and services offered by NSPO across procurement, logistics, acquisition, and supply.

It will lead to cost recovery, greater choice and greater flexibility within the Australian Defence Force. During the inquiry, the committee investigated whether the NSPO agreement could have broader economic and financial benefits beyond the ADF, and the committee found that this agreement may create growth opportunities for Australian defence firms through development of collaboration on NSPO projects within defence firms and NATO member countries.

There are defence manufacturing opportunities that could arise from such an agreement. The committee also interrogated the agreement's privileges, immunities, liabilities and warrant provisions, particularly focusing on parliamentary oversight and accountability. The committee was pleased to learn that any warrant offered or liabilities owed to NSPO or NSPO suppliers will be passed on to Australia.

The committee also learnt that deals like the NSPO agreement are highly sought after by NATO's other Indo-Pacific partners, including New Zealand, Japan and the Republic of Korea. By ratifying this agreement, Australia creates opportunities and options for the ADF and Australian defence industry. The three air services agreements in this report create legally binding foundations for scheduled international air services connecting Australia to Cambodia, Kiribati and Naoero.

Much like the other air services agreements recently considered by our committee, these agreements are based upon a model agreement and in two instances upgrade the less-than-treaty-status arrangements to treaty status. During the inquiry process, the committee investigated the timely referral of these agreements and recognised the efforts of the department of infrastructure to bring forward such agreements in a timely manner.

The committee heard from the department that it is making strong headway in finalising all air service agreements currently under investigation and negotiation. These agreements in this report reflect Australia's commitment to our Asia-Pacific region. The committee also interrogated the agreements' individual characteristics and points of difference.

We heard that there are minor differences between the agreements that were the result of the negotiation process. The committee would like to thank the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Defence, and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, and all the submitters for their engagement throughout these four inquiries.

I'd also like to thank committee members for their participation and contributions, as well as our secretariat and the Hansard staff for turning around transcripts quickly, enabling us to table this report. The committee recommends ratification of all four treaties. On behalf of the committee, I commend the report to the House.