Treaties Committee to examine Indigenous perspectives on WIPO (GRATK) Treaty
Parliament of Australia
The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) will hold a public hearing on Monday, 6 July 2026 as part of its inquiry into the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (from 3:45pm).
The WIPO Treaty on IP and Genetic Resources (GRATK) aims to introduce a requirement to disclose sources for patent applications based on genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. At this hearing, the Committee will examine Indigenous perspectives on the proposed disclosure framework and the potential impacts of ratification and implementation on communities.
Committee Chair, Ms Lisa Chesters MP said, ‘This Treaty is the first multilateral intellectual property agreement to recognise Traditional Knowledge. Its provisions are intended to provide visibility into sources of Traditional Knowledge within patent systems. Ratification would give Australia an opportunity to lead ongoing global discussions about the relationship between intellectual property and Traditional Knowledge.’
The Committee will hear evidence from Indigenous Knowledge Panel and National Native Title Council at the public hearing.
Public hearing details
Date: Monday, 6 July 2026
Time: 3:45pm – 4:30pm AEST (approximately)
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House Canberra
The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.
Media inquiries
Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Chair
Korey Fernando, Diary Manager
[email protected]
(03) 5443 9055
For background information
Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4002
[email protected]
For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.
About us:
Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4002
[email protected]
Contact details:
Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Chair
Korey Fernando, Diary Manager
[email protected]
(03) 5443 9055
