Defence Legal

Directorate of International Government Agreements and Arrangements

Role

The Directorate of International Government Agreements and Arrangements (DIGAA) has the role of ensuring that Defence related agreements and arrangements accord with Defence’s objectives and scope, are consistent in language and format, do not duplicate or overlap current agreements and arrangements, and are consistently interpreted in Australia’s interest.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal and legal policy advice on drafting, negotiating and interpreting Defence sponsored treaties and less than treaty status arrangements.
• Manage the Register of Agreements and Arrangements pursuant to DI(G) Admin 48-1.
• Facilitate consultation with relevant domestic and International Defence stakeholders.
• Liaise with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Attorney-General's Department and where necessary other relevant Australian Government agencies to obtain clearance of proposed international agreements and arrangements.
• Assist Defence clients prepare for attendance before the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) and attend JSCOT on behalf of Defence to provide legal advice on Defence sponsored treaties.
• Assist Defence policy areas in the negotiation of international agreements and arrangements, including attendance at negotiations both in Australia and overseas.

DI(G) Admin 48-1

This Instruction describes the practice to be followed in Defence for the coordination of all Defence related international government agreements and arrangements and the registration of agreements and arrangements in Defence’s Register of Agreements (Register).

[DI(G) Admin 48-1 applies to "international agreements and arrangements" which are legally binding treaties and non legally binding arrangements other than commercial contracts such as those for the procurement or sale of specific property or services (which are subject to other guidance)].

Relevant DIGAA Links

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) are responsible for managing the Australian Treaties Database.  This database is an online resource for researching treaties to which Australia is a signatory, or where Australia has taken other treaty action.  

http://www.dfat.gov.au/treaties/

The Australian Treaties Library on AustLII, is another online resource for locating Treaties to which Australia is a signatory, or where Australia has taken other treaty action.  

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/

Address

Directorate of International Government
Agreements and Arrangements
Defence Legal
CP2-3-084
PO Box 7911
CANBERRA ACT 2610
Email: DefenceLegal.DIGAA@defence.gov.au