The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) will hold a public hearing today for its inquiries into two Universal Postal Union treaty actions:
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) sets the rules and standards for the exchange of international mail between member states. The mission of the UPU is to stimulate efficient and accessible universal postal services of quality to facilitate communication around the world.
Committee Chair, Mr Josh Wilson MP said: “Secure, safe, and efficient international postal exchange is critically important to Australian consumers and businesses. International cooperation on postal movements – facilitated by the UPU – provides trade, national security, and biosecurity and border protection benefits to Australia.”
The UPU treaty actions propose changes to the UPU’s Constitution and adjustments to the financial contributions of its members. This will result in Small Island Developing States reducing their contributions to the UPU. There are further changes to the composition and functioning of the Councils of the UPU, including Pacific Island representation, as well as provision for a permanent convention, and a permanent Postal Payment Agreement.
The treaty actions would enable Australia to have input into the conduct of the UPU, as well as the international policy, regulatory and operational frameworks of international mail.
Mr Wilson continued: "These treaty actions are designed to continue to improve international postal services and would importantly, grow Australia’s role in the UPU and allow Pacific Island states to be represented on UPU’s councils.”
As part of the public hearing, the Committee will hear from officials from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Australia Post and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Public hearing details
Date: Monday 26 February 2024
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Committee Room 2R1
The hearing can be accessed online and the program for this hearing is available on the Committee website, along with further information about the inquiry.
Media inquiries
Mr Tim Watkin, Chief of Staff, Office of Josh Wilson MP
0434 555 823
For background information
Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4002
jsct@aph.gov.au
For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.
