EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS (PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES) ACT 1963
INTELSAT (PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES) REGULATIONS
STATUTORY RULES 1984 No. 283 ISSUED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Article XV of the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT) Agreement, to which Australia is a party, requires parties to accord certain privileges and immunities to INTELSAT. Article 4 of the Protocols on INTELSAT Privileges, Exemptions and Immunities obliges parties to confer immunity on INTELSAT from the payment of some duties and taxes.
In Australia, privileges and immunities may be accorded to international organizations by regulations made under the International Organizations (Privileges and Immunities) Act 1963 (the Act).
Section 13 of the Act provides that the Governor-General may make regulations not inconsistent with the Act for matters for carrying out or giving effect to the Act.
Section 5 of the Act provides that regulations may be made to declare an international organization - to be an international organization to which the Act applies. Section 6 of the Act provides, furthermore, that the regulations may confer upon such an international organization juridical personality, such legal capacities as are necessary for the exercise of the powers and the performance of its functions, and all or any of the privileges and immunities specified in the First Schedule to the Act.
The regulations enclosed herewith have been prepared to give effect within Australia to its obligations under the INTELSAT Agreement and Protocols.
Statutory Rules 1984