Australia’s parliamentary treaties committee is reviewing the Vanuatu-Australia Nakamal Agreement, which aims to establish a legally binding framework for security, economic, development and people-to-people cooperation between the two countries.
The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) will hold a public hearing on Monday as part of its inquiry into the agreement, which was referred to the committee on 01 July 2026.
Committee chair Lisa Chesters said Australia and Vanuatu shared close historical, cultural and geographical ties, as well as common interests in regional security, sovereignty and prosperity.
“Australia and Vanuatu share close connections, history and geography which entwine our cultures and peoples. We also share an interest in the collective security, sovereignty and prosperity of the Pacific region,” Chesters said.
She said the committee wanted to understand how the agreement would strengthen Australia’s role as Vanuatu’s closest economic, security and development partner.
The proposed agreement seeks to strengthen existing security ties and expand economic and people-to-people cooperation while advancing the national security interests of both countries.
The committee will hear evidence from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Federal Police.
The inquiry forms part of the Australian parliamentary process for examining international agreements.
