COMMITTEES
Ms CHESTERS (Bendigo) (10:29): On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present the committee's Report 236: Vuvale union; Ocean of Peace Alliance; USA space agreement; Canada CMAA agreement. 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 236.
This report includes the committee's consideration of four treaties. We've been incredibly busy. They are: the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Union; the Ocean of Peace Alliance; the framework agreement between the government of Australia and the government of the United States of America on cooperation in aeronautics and the exploration and use of airspace and outer space for peaceful purposes; and the agreement between Australia and Canada on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters.
The Vuvale union and Ocean of Peace Alliance provide a framework for enhanced cooperation between Australia and Fiji, developing and deepening our longstanding bilateral relationship through both a comprehensive treaty and a new mutual defence alliance. The Vuvale union draws its name from the Fijian word for family—vuvale—reflecting Australia and Fiji's longstanding bilateral relationship.
The union deepens this relationship through its commitments across three key pillars: economic development, people-to-people relationships, and a broad, Pacific focused understanding of peace and security. It also creates consultation mechanisms—the Vuvale union and the Vuvale Bukmak—which will strengthen the implementation and institutional connections between Australia, Fiji, and domestic stakeholders.
The Ocean of Peace Alliance unites Australia and Fiji in a mutual defence partnership. Under the alliance, our two countries will work closely together to strengthen capability, to consult on security developments and to respond collectively if either nation faces an armed attack. While the alliance is currently between Australia and Fiji, what the committee learnt is that it also includes provisions that would allow other Pacific countries to join in the future, should all members agree.
The committee paid close attention to the defence and security provisions in both the Ocean of Peace Alliance and the Vuvale union. Evidence received during the inquiry indicated that the Ocean of Peace Alliance grew out of the Vuvale union negotiations and that both agreements are underpinned by a common commitment to regional stability, peace and security. Although the alliance establishes substantial mutual defence commitments, the committee was informed that any Australian response would still remain consistent with Australia's domestic processes, capabilities and national requirements and ultimately our government.
The committee also examined how the Vuvale union will strengthen and formalise the longstanding relationship between Australia and Fiji. The committee heard that regular government-to-government consultation will support the effective implementation of the union and provide a framework for its continued growth as our partnership evolves in the years ahead. The committee learnt about the opportunities for local industry and business as well.
Through the ratification of the Ocean of Peace Alliance and the Vuvale union, Australia will demonstrate its enduring commitment to our Pacific family and to the region in peace, security and prosperity. The US space agreement establishes an overarching framework to enable cooperation between Australia and the United States on civil space activities. The inquiry on this treaty was enjoyed by many of our committee members.
Importantly, the agreement does not create an obligation for Australia to undertake any specific activities with the United States. Instead, it streamlines the process for government agencies to develop and implement collaborative space projects. During the inquiry process, the committee examined the benefits that the agreement could deliver for Australian industry, research institutions and government agencies.
The committee heard evidence of successful existing partnerships, including the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, the construction of the Australian made lunar rover and the Australian National University's support for various missions. The agreement will support Australia's continued participation in innovative civil space projects and provide further opportunities to showcase Australia's expertise and capability on the global stage.
The committee was also assured that all activities undertaken through the US space agreement will be required to adhere to domestic legislation and relevant international guidelines. The committee further heard that measures are in place to protect sensitive technologies and safeguard Australia's national interests. Most importantly, the committee was impressed with the opportunity—because of where Australia is placed geographically—for Australian business, industry and research to be able to participate more broadly in US and Australian mutually agreed opportunities.
By ratifying the US space agreement, Australia will strengthen its longstanding partnership with the United States in civil space activities, ensuring Australia remains well positioned for future collaboration opportunities. The Canadian CMAA agreement is a bilateral treaty that establishes arrangements for mutual administrative assistance between Australia and Canada for the proper application of customs legislation.
Its purpose is to strengthen collaboration between the two countries in preventing, detecting and investigating customs offences whilst helping to secure international trade supply chains. The CMAA agreement formalises procedures for administrative cooperation and the sharing of information between Australia and Canada's customs authorities. For Australia that is the Australian Border Force, and for Canada it is the Canada Border Services Agency.
The proposed agreement replaces an existing MOU that has underpinned customs cooperation between the two countries since 1987. During the inquiry, the committee examined how the agreement will contribute to Australia's national interests through enhanced information exchange and closer cooperation on customs threats. The committee heard how the agreement will strengthen the Australian Border Force's ability to enforce customs legislation and support efforts to prevent harmful goods and individuals from entering Australia.
At the public hearing, the committee learned more about Australia's unique border environment and the significant challenges associated with managing one of the world's most complex border systems. Evidence highlighted the importance of strong international partnerships in addressing these challenges. The committee also considered how the treaty's effectiveness will be assessed over time and received evidence on the reasons for the delay in transitioning the 1987 memorandum of understanding into the formal treaty arrangement that we are discussing today, as well as the safeguards put in place to protect personal data.
Essentially, the decision by the government was that now is the right time. Having considered all of the evidence, the committee concluded that this treaty was in Australia's national interests. In fact, we believe all the treaties being presented today are in our nation's interests.
The report also contains the committee's consideration of three minor treaty actions: amendments to annex III of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade; amendments to annexes A, B and C of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; and the 2025 amendments to annex A of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
All three minor treaty actions consist of amendments to multilateral environmental treaties that extend regulation to new products and chemicals. They are each assessed and have limited impact on Australia, as Australia already has equal or stronger regulations for the relevant products and chemicals. The committee would like to thank the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Defence, the Australian Space Agency, the Australian Border Force and all other departments and agencies that appeared as witnesses.
We would also like to thank all the submitters for their engagement throughout the four inquiries and the treaty committee members for their participation and contribution. Can we also thank Hansard and the secretariat for the work that they've done to support our committee throughout this process. The committee recommends that binding treaty action be taken on all four treaties and all three minor treaty actions examined within this report.
On behalf of the committee, I commend the report to the House.