When it comes to international law, Australia has followed a path of deeper engagement and commitment in the post-World War II era. In 2017, it is front and centre of many contemporary debates.

International law has been embedded in Australian law in areas such as environment, employment, human rights and national security, but it also plays a significant role in public discourse which could not have been imagined when the first edition of International Law in Australia was published in in 1965.

While the first edition started from Australia’s initial engagement through the UN system and development of treaty practices in areas such as human rights, defence and trade, the newly released third edition looks at both the creation of new instruments of international law, as well as its integration into Australia’s domestic legal system.

Professor Donald Rothwell is co-editor of the third edition of International Law in Australia with Dr Emily Crawford. He recently sat down with AIIA National Executive Director Melissa Conley Tyler to discuss the development of international law in Australia prior to the launch of the book at AIIA ACT Branch.

‘International Law in Australia, 3rd ed.’ (2016, Thomson Reuters with the Australian Institute of International Affairs) is available here.

Professor Donald Rothwell is head of school at the ANU College of Law.

Interviewed by Melissa Conley Tyler.

Filmed by Karan Dhamija.

Edited by Yidan Qu.