As a nation with one of the largest maritime domains, Australia has fundamental and abiding interests in promoting international norms for the protection and preservation of the marine environment and for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. This seminar will explore some of the ways in which we have been working to advance these interests through innovative approaches in multilateral and bilateral negotiations, particularly in relation to fighting illegal fishing and helping prevent ship-sourced pollution in the Great Barrier Reef. We will also look at some possible future initiatives.

Camille Goodman worked at the Office of International Law from 2005 to 2015, providing advice to Government on public international law issues, with a particular focus on maritime law and international fisheries law. In 2015, Camille commenced a PhD at the ANU College of Law, with support from the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation. Camille’s research will examine the exercise of coastal State powers at sea in the context of the rules-based international order, to ascertain the legitimate bases for coastal State jurisdiction in contemporary international law. 

Dr Greg French is Legal Adviser and Head of the International Legal Branch in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He has led Australian delegations at meetings of the International Criminal Court Assembly of States Parties and Antarctic Treaty Parties, as well as in negotiations on the Law of the Sea Convention, biosafety, marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction and the MH17 incident. He also led the Australian delegation that negotiated the Australia-New Zealand maritime boundary and was part of Australia’s ICJ team in the Whaling in the Antarctic case.

RSVP is essential as passes will be necessary for entry into DFAT. RSVP by COB Friday 13 March 2015.