The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced an inquiry into Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026.
The Bill overhauls the Foreign Arrangements Scheme – the regime requiring states, territories, local governments and public universities to notify, or seek approval, from the Minister for Foreign Affairs before entering into arrangements with foreign entities. The Scheme exists to stop subnational deals undermining Australia's foreign relations or foreign policy.
The amendments proposed by the Bill primarily seek to respond to recommendations made in a 2025 Independent Review of the Foreign Arrangements Scheme by Rosemary Huxtable AO PSM.
The Bill also seeks to amend the review framework for advice provided by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) to the Foreign Minister as part of the Foreign Arrangements Scheme.
