Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

This proposal would result in a costly and senseless duplication of work already conducted by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties—the specialist committee established to deal exclusively with treaties. Extensive parliamentary inquiries have already been conducted into the treaties process. Key reforms, including the establishment of JSCOT, were implemented by the Howard government. The most recent inquiry took place two years ago. Establishing another inquiry now would be a waste of resources. The proposal is consistent with the previous government's style of operation. It is useful to recall that treaty making is an executive function of government rather than the function of parliament. In spite of this, the parliamentary processes already in place have highlighted the extent of the consultation process with stakeholders. This includes JSCOT's consideration of both the KAFTA and the JAEPA.