[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 46 (Monday, November 18, 2002)]
[Pages 2035-2036]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Senate Transmitting a Protocol Amending the Australia-
United States Taxation Convention

November 14, 2002

To the Senate of the United States:

    I transmit herewith, for Senate advice and consent to ratification, 
a Protocol Amending the Convention Between the Government of the United 
States of America and the Government of Australia for the Avoidance of 
Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to 
Taxes on Income, signed at Canberra on September 27, 2001 (the 
``Protocol''). I also transmit, for the information of the Senate, the 
report of the

[[Page 2036]]

Department of State concerning the Protocol.
    The Convention, as amended by the Protocol, would be similar to 
recent tax treaties between the United States and other developed 
nations. It provides maximum rates of tax to be applied to various types 
of income and protection from double taxation of income. The Convention, 
as amended by the Protocol, also provides for resolution of disputes and 
sets forth rules making its benefits unavailable to residents that are 
engaged in treaty shopping.
    I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration 
to this Protocol, and that the Senate give its advice and consent to 
ratification.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 November 14, 2002.