Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Paterson for his question and his interest in particular in this issue. It is vital that Australia and all levels of government in Australia speak with one voice in our dealings with other countries. The Australian people expect and deserve that. That's why this government will introduce the Australia's foreign relations bill 2020.

The bill will require states and territories to consult the foreign minister on arrangements with foreign governments and other entities. The scheme will establish an approval regime and a notification regime. Both regimes apply to proposed arrangements and to existing arrangements. If they are proposed, the foreign minister is able to declare that they not proceed. If they are already in place, the foreign minister is able to declare that they are not valid.

States or territories wanting to make an arrangement with a national government of another country or one of that government's departments or agencies will be required to notify and receive approval from the foreign minister. If a state or a territory wants to make an arrangement with a foreign entity—such as another state, province or local government—the state or territory must notify the foreign minister. The foreign minister's approval in the instances just mentioned is not required. However, the foreign minister does have discretion to declare that they are invalid or that they not proceed if inconsistent with foreign policy. These laws will ensure that we as a nation are consistent with how we deal with the world and that we are all taking a national perspective in our national interest.