Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report by 18 June 2015:

The Commonwealth’s treaty making process, particularly in light of the growing number of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements Australian governments have entered into or are currently negotiating, including:

(a) the role of the Parliament and the Executive in negotiating, approving and reviewing treaties;

(b) the role of parliamentary committees in reviewing and reporting on proposed treaty action and implementation;

(c) the role of other consultative bodies including the Commonwealth–State–Territory Standing Committee on Treaties and the Treaties Council;

(d) development of the national interest analysis and related materials currently presented to Parliament;

(e) the scope for independent assessment and analysis of treaties before ratification;

(f) the scope for government, stakeholder and independent review of treaties after implementation;

(g) the current processes for public and stakeholder consultation and opportunities for greater openness, transparency and accountability in negotiating treaties; and

(h) related matters.