The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy (Senator Sherry) tabled the following Government documents:

Services Trust Funds Act—Reports for 1994—

Australian Military Forces Relief Trust Fund.

Royal Australian Air Force Welfare Trust Fund.

Royal Australian Navy Relief Trust Fund.

Treaties—

List of multilateral treaties under negotiation or under consideration for Australian Government signature or adherence.

Texts of—

BILATERAL

1.Extradition Treaty with Turkey, done at Canberra on 3 March 1994 and exchange of Notes of 27 and 28 March 1995 constituting an Agreement to rectify an error in Article 2.1 of the English text of the Treaty and clarify the interpretation of the corrected version. The Treaty and subsequent Agreement will enter into force 30 days after Notes are exchanged pursuant to Article 17.1.

2.Development Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines, done at Sydney on 28 October 1994. The Agreement will enter into force when Notes are exchanged pursuant to Article 19.1.

3.Trade and Investment Agreement with Mexico, done at Jakarta on 13 November 1994. The Agreement will enter into force when Notes are exchanged pursuant to Article 7.

4.Exchange of Notes, done at Hong Kong on 30 November and 2 December 1994, constituting an Agreement with Hong Kong to further extend the Agreement concerning the Investigation of Drug Trafficking and the Confiscation of the Proceeds of Drug Trafficking of 22 April 1991. The Agreement entered into force on the date of the initiating Note (2 December 1994) in accordance with the provisions of the Notes.

5.Subsidiary Agreement to the Agreement of 17 October 1979 with Japan concerning Japanese Tuna Long-Line Fishing, done at Melbourne on 21 December 1994. The Subsidiary Agreement entered into force on the date of signature, pursuant to Article IX.

6.Agreement with Germany concerning the Landing and Recovery of a Space Capsule in Australia (EXPRESS Agreement) and Exchange of Notes, done at Canberra on 4 January 1995. The Agreement and Exchange of Notes entered into force when Notes were exchanged on 4 January 1995, pursuant to Article 16.

7.Agreement with New Zealand for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, done at Melbourne on 27 January 1995. The Agreement will enter into force when Notes are exchanged pursuant to Article 28.1.

8.Exchange of Letters, done at Brussels on 8 February 1995, constituting an Agreement with the European Community further amending and extending the Agreement of 22 January 1990 which amended the Agreement on Trade in Mutton, Lamb and Goatmeat of 14 November 1980. The Agreement entered into force retrospectively from 31 December 1994, the date specified in the Letters.

9.Agreement with Singapore concerning the Use of Shoalwater Bay Training Area and the Associated Use of Storage Facilities in Australia, done at Singapore on 17 February 1995. The Agreement entered into force on signature, pursuant to Article 17.1.

10.Agreement with the Philippines on the Promotion and Protection of Investments, and Protocol, done at Manila on 25 January 1995. The Agreement and Protocol will enter into force 30 days after Notes are exchanged, pursuant to Article 15.

11.Air Services Agreement with Mauritius, done at Port Louis on 31 March 1995. The Agreement entered into force on signature, pursuant to Article 24.

12.Exchange of Letters, done at Canberra on 30 December 1994 and 27 January 1995, constituting an Agreement with Sweden to amend Article 1(1) of the Agreement on Medical Treatment for Temporary Visitors of 14 February 1989. The Agreement entered into force on 1 February 1995, the date specified in the Letters.

13.Agreement with the Czech Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, done at Canberra on 28 March 1995. The Agreement will enter into force when Notes are exchanged, pursuant to Article 27.

14.Exchange of Notes, done at Canberra on 28 and 30 March 1995, constituting an Agreement with the United States concerning the continued Operation in South-Eastern Australia of the Omega Navigation Facility. The Agreement entered into force on 30 March 1995, the date of the Note in reply.

15.Agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the Provision of Personnel to Support De-Mining Programmes in Cambodia, done at New York on 31 January 1995. The Agreement entered into force on the date of signature, pursuant to Article I.

MULTILATERAL

16.Amendments, done at Manila in April 1983, to Articles II, III, IV and XIV [concerning Financial Obligations] of the Plant Protection Agreement for the Asia and Pacific Region of 27 February 1956. Instrument of acceptance deposited for Australia on 27 December 1994. The Amendments are not yet in force.

17.Amendments [Elections to the Council], done at London on 4 November 1993, to the Convention on the International Maritime Organization of 6 March 1948, as amended. Instrument of acceptance deposited for Australia on 10 March 1995. The Amendments are not yet in force.

18.Energy Charter Treaty, done at Lisbon on 17 December 1994. Signed for Australia, subject to ratification, on 17 December 1994. The Treaty is not yet definitively in force.

19.Energy Charter Protocol on Energy Efficiency and related Environmental Aspects, done at Lisbon on 17 December 1994. Signed for Australia, subject to ratification, on 17 December 1994. The Protocol is not yet in force.

20.Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, done at New York on 9 December 1994. The Convention is open for signature by all States until 31 December 1995 and is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. The Government is considering taking action toward becoming a party to the Convention.

21.International Tropical Timber Agreement 1994, done at Geneva on 26 January 1994. The Government is considering taking action toward becoming a party to the Agreement.

22.ILO Convention (No. 69) concerning Certification of Ships' Cooks, adopted at Geneva on 27 June 1946. The Government is considering ratifying the Convention

23.ILO Convention (No. 73) concerning the Medical Examination of Seafarers, adopted at Geneva on 29 June 1946. The Government is considering ratifying the Convention.

24.ILO Convention (No. 166) concerning the Repatriation of Seafarers (revised), adopted at Geneva on 9 October 1987. The Government is considering ratifying the Convention.

25.International Grains Agreement 1995, consisting of two separate legal instruments (a) the Grains Trade Convention 1995 and (b) the Food Aid Convention, 1995, done at London on 7 December 1994. The Government is considering acceding to this Agreement.

26.Amendments to the Constitution and Convention of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), done at Kyoto, 14 October 1994. The Amendments were signed for Australia, subject to ratification, on 14 October 1994. The Government is considering ratification.

MULTILATERAL TREATIES UNDER NEGOTIATION OR UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

SIGNATURE OR ADHERENCE

SECTION 1.NEGOTIATIONS FOR NEW TREATIES

APEC

Mutual Recognition Agreement on Conformity Assessment in the toy sector and the food sector.

Contact: Department of Industry, Science & Technology, Canberra

Conference on Disarmament

Convention to Prohibit the Production of Fissionable Material for Weapons Purposes.

Contact: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

Contact: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)

International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources 1983—revision.

Contacts: Department of Primary Industries & Energy, Canberra; Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Convention on Supplementary Funding for Transboundary Nuclear Damage from and Nuclear Incident at a Civil Nuclear Power Plant.

Contact: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

Convention on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management.

Contact: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (Unidroit)

Convention on the Return of Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Property.

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

International Labour Organization (ILO)

Convention on Homework.

Convention on Safety and Health in Mines.

Contact: Department of Industrial Relations, Canberra

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea.

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

Organization for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD)

Multilateral Agreement on Investment.

Contact: Department of the Treasury, Canberra

United Nations (Criminal Court)

Statute for an International Criminal Court.

Contacts: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra; Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)

Convention on Independent Guarantees and Stand-by Letters of Credit.

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks

Implementation of the Provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation & Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks.

Contact: Department of Primary Industries & Energy, Canberra

United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)

Treaty for the application of Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals in International Trade (PIC Procedure).

Contacts: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra; Department of Primary Industries & Energy, Canberra

United Nations (Human Rights)

Convention Against Torture—proposed Optional Protocol.

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)—consideration is being given to the feasibility of an optional protocol which would provide a complaints procedure for violation of women's human rights.

Contacts: Office of the Status of Women, Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet, Canberra; Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

  -Optional Protocol on the Sexual Exploitation of Children

  -Optional Protocol on Children in Armed Conflict.

Contacts: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra; Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Treaty on the Settlement of Intellectual Property Disputes between States.

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

Other

Multilateral Approach to Migratory Bird Conservation.

Contact: Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra

SECTION 2.NEGOTIATIONS FOR AMENDMENTS TO, OR SUPPLEMENTS TO, EXISTING TREATIES

Antarctic Treaty System

Instrument(s) to establish Antarctic Treaty Secre tariat.

Contacts: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra; Attorney-General's Department, Canberra; Australian Antarctic Division, Department of the Environment, Sport & Territories, Kingston, Tasmania

Liability Annex to the Antarctic Treaty Protocol on Environmental Protection [protection of the environment and associated ecosystems].

Contacts: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra; Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra; Australian Antarctic Division, Department of the Environment, Sport & Territories, Kingston, Tasmania

Asia—Pacific Telecommunity (ATP)

ATP Treaty—amendments.

Contact: Department of Communications & the Arts, Canberra

Energy Charter Conference

Energy Charter Protocol on Principles governing the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy and the Safety of Nuclear Installations and on Co-operation in these Areas.

Contact: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

Energy Charter Treaty, supplementary.

Contact: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Revision of the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage, and a Supplementary Funding Convention.

Contact: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

International Labour Organization (ILO)

Protocol extending the Convention on Labour Inspection 1947 (No. 81) to the non-commercial services sector.

Contact: Department of Industrial Relations, Canberra

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)—amendments.

Contact: Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Belconnen, ACT

Amendments to Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR).

Contact: Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Belconnen, ACT

Convention for Standards Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)—revisions.

Contact: Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Belconnen, ACT

Convention for Standards Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F)—revisions.

Contact: Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Belconnen, ACT

Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships—additions to Convention

-  Prevention of Air Pollution

-  Prevention of Pollution by Solid Bulk Cargoes

-Prevention of the Introduction of Unwanted Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens from Ships' Ballast Water and Sediment Discharges

  -Prevention of Pollution by Sewage.

Contact: Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Belconnen, ACT

Convention relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties—amendments to list of substances.

Contact: Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Belconnen, ACT

Convention on Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention)—amendments.

Contacts: Environment Protection Agency, Canberra; Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT)

INMARSAT Convention—amendments.

Contact: Department of Communications & the Arts, Canberra

International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT)

INTELSAT Convention—amendments.

Contact: Department of Communications & the Arts, Canberra

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Radio Regulations—amendments.

Contact: Spectrum Management Agency, Department of Communications & the Arts, Canberra

The Hague Conference on Private International Law

Convention on the Law Applicable to the Protection of Minors—renegotiation.

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

United Nations (Conservation & Environment)

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change—Protocol.

Contact: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

United Nations (Weapons/Conflict)

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction [Biological Weapons Convention]—Verification Protocol.

Contact: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

Convention (and Protocols) on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to have Indiscriminate Effects [Inhumane Weapons Convention], Review Conference September 1995—proposed strengthening of Landmines Protocol; possible additional protocols.

Contact: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)

Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal—amendment.

Contacts: Environment Protection Agency, Canberra; Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

Basel Convention Draft Protocol on Liability and Compensation.

Contacts: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra; Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra; Environment Protection Agency, Canberra

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer 1987—amendment/adjustment.

Contact: Environment Protection Agency, Canberra

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary & Artistic Works—Protocol.

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

Paris Convention, Treaty Supplementing the Convention (Patents).

Contact: Australian Industrial Property Organisation, Woden, ACT

Protection of the Rights of Performers and Producers of Phonograms—additional instrument.

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

World Trade Organization (WTO)

General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)—amendments relating to subsidies, government procurement and emergency safeguards.

Contact: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

SECTION 3.FINALISED TREATIES UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR AUSTRALIAN ADHERENCE

Council of Europe

Convention on the Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds of Crime—signed for Australia 28 September 1992—ratification.

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

Transfer of Sentenced Persons—adherence.

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Agreement to Establish Indian Ocean Tuna Commission—acceptance.

Contact: Department of Primary Industries & Energy, Canberra

Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas—adherence.

Contact: Department of Primary Industries & Energy, Canberra

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Convention on Nuclear Safety—ratification: Australia signed, subject to ratification, 20 September 1994.

Contact: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection (MARPLEX)—adherence.

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (Unidroit)

Convention providing a Uniform Law on the Form of an International Will—adherence.

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

International Labour Organization (ILO)

There are a number of ILO Conventions with respect to which the Commonwealth is conducting ongoing consultations with the States and Territories and interested groups.

  C.53  Officers' Competency Certificates, 1936;

  C.97  Migration for Employment (Revised), 1949;

  C.108  Seafarers' Identity Documents, 1958;

  C.119  Guarding of Machinery, 1963;

  C.120  Hygiene in Commerce and Offices, 1964;

  C.129  Labour Inspection (Agriculture), 1969;

  C.134  Prevention of Accidents (Seafarers), 1970;

  C.138  Minimum Age, 1973;

  C.139  Occupational Cancer, 1974;

  C.140  Paid Education Leave, 1974;

  C.141  Rural Workers' Organisations, 1975;

  C.143  Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions), 1975;

  C.145  Continuity of Employment (Seafarers), 1976;

  C.146  Seafarers' Annual Leave with Pay, 1976;

  C.147  Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards), 1976;

  C.148Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration), 1977;

  C.149  Nursing Personnel, 1977;

  C.151  Labour Relations (Public Service), 1978;

  C.152  Occupational Safety and Health (Dock Work), 1979;

  C.154  Collective Bargaining, 1981;

  C.155  Occupational Safety and Health, 1981;

  C.161  Occupational Health Services, 1985;

  C.162  Asbestos, 1986;

  C.164  Health Protection and Medical Care (Seafarers), 1987;

  C.167  Safety and Health in Construction, 1988;

  C.169  Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, 1989;

  C.170  Chemicals, 1990;

  C.174  Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents, 1993;

  C.175  Part-time Work, 1994.

Contact: Department of Industrial Relations, Canberra

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Protocol of 1992 to the Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage—accession.

Contact: Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Belconnen, ACT

Protocol of 1992 to the Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage—accession.

Contact: Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Belconnen, ACT

Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organisation (KEDO)

Possible instrument of accession.

Contact: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

South Pacific Regional Organizations

Regional Convention on Hazardous Waste—signature subject to ratification.

Contacts: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra; Environment Protection Agency, Canberra

The Hague Conference on Private International Law

Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Intercountry Adoption 1993—ratification.

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

United Nations (Conservation & Environment)

Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa—signed for Australia in 14 October 1994—ratification.

United Nations (Weapons/Conflict)

Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries—accession.

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra, ACT, fax: (06)2702295

World Trade Organization (WTO)

International Dairy Agreement—adherence.

Contacts: Department of Primary Industries & Energy, Canberra; Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canberra

SECTION 4.TREATIES TO WHICH AUSTRALIA IS A PARTY BUT ON WHICH FURTHER ACTION IS UNDER CONSIDERATION

International Labour Organization (ILO)

Acceptance of Part 2 of Convention on Labour Inspection 1947 (ILO. 81) concerning labour

inspection in commerce (Australia accepted Part 1 concerning labour inspection in industry on 24 June 1975).

Contact: Department of Industrial Relations, Canberra

United Nations (Human Rights)

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)—modification of reservation relating to the Australian Defence Force.

Contact: Office of the Status of Women, Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet, Canberra

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)—possible withdrawal of reservation to Article 4(a).

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)—possible withdrawal of reservation relating to racist propaganda.

Contact: Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

  The following documents were tabled by the Clerk:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act—Statement under section 65(1), dated 7 June 1995.

Civil Aviation Act—Civil Aviation Regulations—Directions under subregulation 235(7)—Exemption—No. DASR 10/1995.

Quarantine Act—Quarantine Proclamation No. 156A.