EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS (PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES) ACT 1963
STATUTORY RULES 1984. No. 276 ISSUED BY THE
AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
In 1979 Australia became a party to the World Tourism Statutes, which were adopted in Mexico City on 27 September 1970. Article 23 of the Statutes provides that the Organisation shall enjoy in the territories of its Member States, the privileges and immunities required for the exercise of its functions and that such privileges may be defined by agreements concluded by the Organisation. In 1983, Australia offered to host the thirteenth meeting of the Organisation’s Commission for East Asia and the Pacific, which offer was accepted by the Organisation.
Accordingly in July 1984 the Australian Government concluded arrangements for participation in the meeting. Furthermore in accordance with the requirements of international law that appropriate privileges and immunities be granted to representatives at the forthcoming meeting, the Australian Government has made arrangements to extend such privileges and immunities.
In Australia, privileges and immunities may be accorded to international organisations by regulations made under the International Organisations (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 4 of the Act provides that regulations may be made to declare an international organisation to be an organisation to which the Act applies. Section 6 of the Act provides, furthermore, that the regulations may confer upon such an international organisation 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 in accordance with practice under international law, to give effect within Australia of the requirement that official representatives to the international conference be accorded certain privileges ana immunities.
Statutory Rules 1984