| Type of parliamentary body |
Specialized |
| Nature |
Permanent |
| Related to chambers |
House of Representatives
Senate
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| Date of creation |
1987 |
| Last renewal date |
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| Mandate |
The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade receives regular briefings on trade topics from government, business, industry and trade experts. The Committee conducts inquiries and hearings into various trade issues that are either referred to it by the Minister for Trade or self-initiated to inquire into matters arising from the department's annual report. |
| Membership |
Government and opposition parties nominate the 22 members of the Committee. Their terms are not specified. |
| Working methods |
The Committee conducts regular business in private. It also conducts public hearings. Procedures of public hearings are published and available on the Committee website as well as in hard copy. The Committee also has the power to call for witnesses and assessments. Most decisions are taken by consensus. |
| Relations with other parliamentary bodies |
The Committee organizes reciprocal visits and has regular correspondence with other parliamentary bodies. Publications and information are otherwise available on websites. |
| Relations with external bodies |
The Committee maintains a constructive relationship with the government by keeping it abreast of its activities, inviting its participation in relevant meetings and making useful recommendations as a result of inquiries. Committee members are not usually part of official delegations to major intergovernmental negotiating forums. |
| Subjects dealt with |
Recently, the Committee has been dealing with the following issues: free trade agreements, Australia's engagement with the WTO, and Australia's trade with various regions of the world, including Central Europe, Middle East and North Africa. |
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
| Main address |
Parliament House, Canberra |
| Phone |
+612 6277 2313 |
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PRESIDING OFFICER(S)
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| Name |
Mr. B. G. Baird |
| Notes |
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| Address (if different from above) |
Parliament House, Canberra |
| Phone |
+612 6277 4814 |
| Fax |
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| E-mail |
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| Website |
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| Name |
Mr. A. B. Ferguson |
| Notes |
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| Address (if different from above) |
Parliament House, Canberra |
| Phone |
+612 6277 3115 |
| Fax |
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| E-mail |
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| Website |
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SECRETARY
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| Name |
Mr. |
| Notes |
Secretary |
| Address (if different from above) |
Parliament House, Canberra |
| Phone |
+612 6277 2313 |
| Fax |
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| E-mail |
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| web site: |
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| Notes |
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