The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending the ratification of three strategic Defence treaties.
The AUKUS-UK Agreement between the United Kingdom and Australia provides a framework for the joint development of a new class of submarines, SSN-AUKUS. The Agreement follows the 2021 AUKUS treaty between Australia, the UK and the US and includes frameworks for the design, construction, operation and disposal of nuclear waste involved in the development of the submarines. The treaty also includes provisions for UK submarine visits and rotations, intellectual property rights and liability.
The UK Defence Agreement aims to update an existing 2014 treaty to modernise Australia’s defence and security arrangements with the UK. The new agreement will deepen cooperation between the two nations and expand the scope of bilateral collaboration, particularly relating to cyber security, military equipment and capabilities.
The Indonesia Defence Agreement upgrades and replaces an existing arrangement with one that is binding under international law. The agreement will increase opportunities for defence collaboration between the two nations and has provisions for cooperation.
Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP said: “These three treaties play a significant role in strengthening Australia’s longstanding defence and security relationships with its key bilateral partners, the United Kingdom and Indonesia. In particular, the AUKUS-UK Agreement will play a key role in Australia’s defence security, maintaining regional stability and growing its industrial capacity.”
The report also contains eight minor treaty actions relating to Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974.
The Report can be found on the Committee website, along with further information on the inquiry.
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