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

The government has identified from an open-source search at least 135 arrangements between states and territories and foreign governments across 30 countries. We can't say with certainty how many more there are—a fact that underscores why this bill is necessary. To date there's been no requirement that states and territories consult with the Commonwealth on these arrangements and therefore no opportunity for Commonwealth expertise to be applied—that is, the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in particular.

We don't want to impede business links. We don't want to impede people-to-people links. As an outward-looking trading nation, Australia wants those relationships; we benefit from them. Rather, the legislation will give state and territory governments confidence that they are acting in a way that serves Australia's national interests and assure Australians that we are exercising due diligence in our international engagements.