The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) is reviewing the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026, which proposes reforms to the Foreign Arrangements Scheme.
The Scheme requires states, territories, local governments and public universities to notify, or seek approval from, the Minister for Foreign Affairs before entering arrangements with foreign entities. This may affect Local Governments who have existing ‘Sister-City’ arrangements with foreign Local Governments.
The proposed amendments respond to recommendations from the 2025 Independent Review of the Scheme.
The Bill would also amend the ASIO Act 1979 to exclude ASIO advice provided to the Foreign Minister under the Foreign Relations Act from merits and judicial review, consistent with the Minister’s decision-making powers.
The Committee is inviting written submissions on the proposed legislation until 27 July 2026.
Review the Bill and make a submission, visit the Committee’s website.
The Scheme requires states, territories, local governments and public universities to notify, or seek approval from, the Minister for Foreign Affairs before entering arrangements with foreign entities. This may affect Local Governments who have existing ‘Sister-City’ arrangements with foreign Local Governments.
The proposed amendments respond to recommendations from the 2025 Independent Review of the Scheme.
The Bill would also amend the ASIO Act 1979 to exclude ASIO advice provided to the Foreign Minister under the Foreign Relations Act from merits and judicial review, consistent with the Minister’s decision-making powers.
The Committee is inviting written submissions on the proposed legislation until 27 July 2026.
Review the Bill and make a submission, visit the Committee’s website.
