CENTRE FOR DEFENCE AND STRATEGIC STUDIES (CDSS)
18-20 February 2008

Instructing Future Senior Defence Leadership
Over the period 18 to 20 February 2008, the Asia Pacific Centre for Military Centre (APCML) presented an International Law Module at the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS) at the Australian Defence College. This is the second year the APCML was invited to make such a contribution.

CDSS hosts the Defence and Strategic Studies course - the senior course in Australia for senior military officers (Colonel (Equivalent)) and other Government officials engaged in national security issues. It is responsible for providing Australian and overseas participants with the knowledge and skills required to operate at the strategic level in a complex and modern security environment.

Together with the military presenters, the APCML were honoured to have the Acting Director of the APCML and Professor of Law at the University of Melbourne, Professor Stuart Kaye, present on ‘The Use of Force and International Law: Maintaining Situational Awareness’; and the Director of the National Europe Centre, Research School of Humanities and Professor of Law at the Australian National University, Professor Simon Bronitt, present on ‘The Use of Force Against Hijacked Aircraft: The Relationship Between Domestic and International Law’. Military presenters included Captain Dale Stephens RAN, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Muggleton, Wing Commander Duncan Blake and Lieutenant Commander Rachel Jones RAN and topics covered included the 'Role of Law in Military Decision Making', 'Detention Operations', 'The Australian Criminal Code and Rules of Engagement', 'Current Operational Law Issues' and 'Command Responsibility'.

The APCML welcomes the opportunity to present at CDSS especially given the high level theoretical and pragmatic exchange that occurs during the course of the module. It is also an opportunity to 'think outside the box' regarding the role of both black letter law and more different 'rule of law' concepts in relation to command decision making.

Contact details:

University Node Cathy Hutton Administrator Asia-Pacific Centre for Military Law Law School The University of Melbourne VIC 3010 AUSTRALIA Tel: + 61 3 8344 4775 Fax: + 61 3 8344 0054 Email: law-apcml@unimelb.edu.au

Military Node Ian Martin Administrator Asia-Pacific Centre for Military Law Building 100 Randwick Barracks Avoca Street RANDWICK NSW 2031 AUSTRALIA Tel: + 61 2 9349 0628 Fax: +61 2 9349 0757 Email: mlc.admin@defence.gov.au