The parliamentary committee considering whether to recommend the federal government ratify its extradition treaty with China has called a last-minute hearing with the Attorney-General's Department due to "real doubts" emerging from both sides of politics over the deal.

The long-dormant bilateral treaty – first signed in September 2007 but never legislated – will likely still be ratified by a Turnbull government intent on strengthening law enforcement co-operation with its biggest trading partner. The Coalition also holds the majority on Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, chaired by Liberal MP Stuart Robert.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan meeting with Chinese Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun in Beijing in November. Credit:Sanghee Liu

But the committee's review, which had already been delayed by the July federal election, will now take include an extra hearing scheduled for Thursday, as committee members from both sides of politics seek assurances following strong concerns expressed in Australia's legal community over the deal due to the Chinese legal system's lack of independence, transparency and its government's chequered human rights record. Rather than tabling its report this week as originally expected, the committee's delay could see any ratification pushed out to next year.

"The fact the chairman has referred it to a further hearing shows concerns from both sides inside the committee," one committee member told Fairfax Media.