ALP International Secretary, Senator Michael Forshaw has been elected as the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence & Trade.

Date:  08 April 2008

The Committee which comprises 12 Senators and 18 Members of the House of Representatives is the largest and most prestigious committee of the Federal Parliament.

Due to its extensive coverage of policy areas and workload the Joint Committee has four sub-committees namely foreign affairs (chair: Michael Danby MP); defence (Arch Bevis MP); trade ( Janelle Saffin MP) and human rights ( Kerry Rea MP).

The Joint Committee and sub-committees meet regularly when Parliament is sitting to discuss and receive briefings from relevant Ministers & departmental officials, Joint Chiefs of Staff, foreign and Australian Ambassadors and distinguished experts and visiting delegations.

The Joint Committee is currently completing a major inquiry into Australia’s relations with India, one of the fastest growing countries in the world.

“It’s a great privilege and honour to be elected Chair of the Joint Committee,” Senator Forshaw said. “We are looking forward to a positive working relationship with the Rudd Government as it pursues a more multilateral approach in foreign affairs, seeks to re-invigorate the DOHA Trade Round, reviews Australia’s defence capability through the White Paper and continues to stand up for human rights wherever they are abused.”