On 18-19 July 2018, the ‘Australia and the Rules-Based International Order’ conference was held at the Hedley Bull Centre at the Australian National University, Canberra. The purpose of the conference was to define and clarify the concept of the rules-based international order, to build a shared understanding of this concept and to discuss the significance and future of the order. Additionally the conference sought to identify and document Australia’s past contributions to the rules-based international order. Participants included current and former government officials, academics, experts and civil society representatives.

The conference was organised by the Australian Institute of International Affairs in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Attorney-General’s Department and the ANU Coral Bell School.

For a list of session and speakers, please download the conference program:

Australia and the Rules-Based Order Conference Program

Featured extracts of conference papers and remarks:

• “Australia and the Rules-Based International Order” – Professor Nick Bisley
• “Bilateral Relations within the Rules-Based Order” – Professor Shirley Scott
• “A Health Check on Disarmament and International Humanitarian Law” – John Quinn
• “Australia’s Role as International Trade Rule-Maker” – Associate Professor Elizabeth Thurbon
• “The Rules-Based Order Applying to Antarctica” – David Mason
• “Australia and the Rules-Based Order of the Oceans” – Professor Robin Warner
• “Rules or Law? Kenneth Bailey and the Laws of the Sea” – Dr Kirsten Sellars
• “Three Images of the Rules-Based Order” – Professor Robert McLaughlin
• “If Trump just quits the rules-based order – what happens next?” – Allan Gyngell AO FAIIA

Interviews and podcasts:

• “The Rules-Based International Order” – podcast presented by Allan Gyngell AO FAIIA and Dr Darren Lim
• “The Rules of People Movement and Human Rights Law” – interview with Professor Penelope Mathew and Associate Professor Savitri Taylor
• Weekend Breakfast – interview with Melissa Conley Tyler by ABC TV
• “Does Donald Trump’s step towards Putin seal a new world order?” – interview with Melissa Conley Tyler on ABC Radio concerning the implications of Donald Trump’s relationship with Vladimir Putin