New laws empowering the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to take an active role in the foreign arrangements entered by State or Territory Governments have come into force this month (10 December).
DFAT said the Foreign Arrangements Scheme applied to existing and prospective foreign arrangements.
“Where an arrangement is not consistent with Australia’s foreign policy, or adversely affects Australia’s foreign relations, the Minister for Foreign Affairs will have the power to prevent prospective arrangements from proceeding or to cancel existing arrangements,” it said.
The Department said State and Territory entities were now required to notify the Minister for Foreign Affairs of pre-existing arrangements with foreign Government entities, with core foreign arrangements (arrangements between States and Territories and foreign national Government entities) to be provided by 10 March next year (2021).
It said provisions requiring the notification of prospective arrangements would commence on 10 March and State and Territory entities would be required to seek the Minister’s approval to negotiate or enter into any core foreign arrangements; notify the Minister when proposing to enter into any non-core foreign arrangements; and notify the Minister after entering into any foreign arrangements.
“DFAT looks forward to working closely with State/Territory entities on the implementation of this important new scheme, and to continue to promote Australia’s interests globally,” the Department said.
“The new Foreign Arrangements Taskforce within DFAT, will work with State/Territory entities to support administration of the Scheme,” it said.
DFAT said its Taskforce would hold information sessions for State and Territory Entities in the early stages of the Scheme.
Further information and fact sheets on the new scheme can be accessed on the DFAT website at this PS News link.
