Treaties are agreements entered into between States, either bilaterally or multilaterally. The Commonwealth, and not the States, is Australia’s international representative. It is within executive power to negotiate and execute such treaties but international treaties are not self-executing, requiring incorporation by legislation into domestic law (Encyclopaedic Australian Legal Dictionary).
- treaties may be defined as an international agreement concluded between States, governed by international law
- also be referred to as conventions, international agreements, covenants, international instruments, charters and protocols
- may be bi–lateral (between two States) or multi–lateral (covering more than two States)
- treaties and international agreements entered into by any Member of the United Nations must be registered and published
