Australia's response to piracy : a legal perspective / edited by Andrew Forbes

Includes bibliographical references

The purpose of the seminar was to discuss various aspects related to piracy as well as associated legal issues. The first two papers provide the necessary background to the issues, examining piracy and relevant international law issues respectively. In the first paper, Sam Bateman compares and contrasts the differing types of piracy occurring in Southeast Asia and off Somalia; and in the second paper Stuart Kaye outlines the international law perspectives as they impact on the ability of a country to respond to piracy outside its own waters. Clive Schofield and Robin Warner then examine Somali piracy, relevant legal issues, as well as naval responses. In a paper published elsewhere but revised for this volume, Blair Ussher examines piracy law in Australia while Cameron Moore examines legal issues impacting the ADF when undertaking law enforcement operations. In a paper not given to the seminar, Pete Leavy provides details of the best known counter-piracy task by HMA Ships Sydney and Ballarat, which occurred before the formal commitment of Australian forces, highlighting what is involved in such an activity, the uncertainties involved and the delays in being able to respond to ships in distress given the vast areas of ocean involved. A postscript outlines ongoing jurisdictional issues, international naval cooperation and the Australian commitment thus far.