Australian COVID-19 measures and its international investment obligations

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the prospect for international investment disputes in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic due to measures implemented by the Australian government to tackle the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Doctrinal research. Contains qualitative analysis.

Findings

This paper finds that claims based on the protections in the International Investment Agreements (IIAs) signed by Australia are unlikely to succeed and that Australia’s COVID-19 measures can be justified as necessary measures under the general and security exception clauses included in more recent IIAs and under customary international law.

Originality/value

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, scholars have written papers apprehending possible claims by international investors against emergency measures adopted by host countries to face the pandemic which might also have damaged the interest of the foreign investors. The existing literature is too vague and general. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper that draws some specific conclusions in this regard applicable to the COVID-19 regulatory measures taken by Australia. While the existing literature projects the possibility of such investor claims, this paper argues that at least no such claim would succeed against the COVID-19 measures taken by Australia.

Citation

Sharmin, T. and Laryea, E. (2022), "Australian COVID-19 measures and its international investment obligations", Journal of International Trade Law and Policy, Vol. 21 No. 2, pp. 182-214. https://doi.org/10.1108/JITLP-10-2021-0055