Joint Committee and subsidiary bodies
The Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) established a Joint Committee to supervise the implementation of the Agreement. The Joint Committee comprises representatives of the government of both countries. Meetings of the Joint Committee form an opportunity to consider and resolve any matters that may affect the operation of JAEPA and to explore ways to enhance trade and investment opportunities covered by the Agreement.
The Joint Committee also supervises the work of sub-committees. A full list of committees appears below.
| Committee | JAEPA reference |
|---|---|
| Joint Committee | Art 1.13 |
| Sub-Committee on Trade in Goods | Art 2.21 |
| Sub-Committee on Rules of Origin | Art 3.28 |
| Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures | Art 4.9 |
| Sub-Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Cooperation | Art 5.4 |
| Sub-Committee on Technical Regulations, Standards and Conformity Assessment Procedures | Art 6.8 |
| Sub-Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources | Art 8.8 |
| Sub-Committee on Trade in Services | Art 9.15 |
| Sub-Committee on Telecommunications | Art 10.22 |
| Sub-Committee on Financial Services | Art 11.10 |
| Sub-Committee on Investment | Art 14.18 |
| Sub-Committee on Intellectual Property | Art 16.21 |
| Sub-Committee on Promotion of a Closer Economic Relationship | Art 18.2 |
Depending on the body, there is flexibility on when, and if, meetings will be convened. The relevant articles contain information on the roles of the committees.
Past meetings
| Committee | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Joint Committee | 13 February 2019 | Tokyo |
| Sub-Committee on Financial Services | 11 October 2017 | Tokyo |
| Joint Committee | 19 April 2017 | Tokyo |
| Sub-Committee on Promotion of a Closer Economic Relationship | 8 October 2015 | Tokyo |
| Joint Committee | 15 January 2015 | Tokyo |
Submissions
DFAT welcomes contact at any point on the operation of JAEPA. Written submissions are particularly welcome ahead of Joint Committee meetings. These should be forwarded, preferably by email, per the details below:
Email:
FTA Enquiries at fta@dfat.gov.au
Mail:
JAEPA Coordinator
Free Trade Agreement and Stakeholder Engagement Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
RG Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
Barton ACT 0221
Submissions will be made publicly available on the DFAT website unless the author specifies otherwise.
Entry into force
JAEPA entered into force on 15 January 2015.
Negotiations on the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) concluded in April 2014. Then Prime Minister Abbott and Japanese Prime Minister Abe signed JAEPA and its Implementing Agreement on 8 July 2014 in Canberra.
Minister Robb tabled the text of the Agreement along with a National Interest Analysis in the Australian Parliament on 14 July 2014.
JAEPA was considered by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT). On 28 October 2014, the Chair of JSCOT tabled Report 144 of its inquiry into JAEPA in Parliament. The report supported JAEPA and recommended the Government take binding treaty action.
Following tabling of the report, Minister Robb introduced customs implementing legislation into Parliament on 29 October 2014. The Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee reviewed the legislation and recommended the Senate pass the bills. The legislation was passed by Parliament on 27 November 2014. Related Regulations were also amended.
JAEPA was passed by the Japanese Diet on 7 November 2014, and a final Cabinet decision was taken on 16 December.
On the same day, Australia and Japan exchanged diplomatic notes, confirming the completion of domestic processes in both countries.