Legislative Review of the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020

On 1 September 2025, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, tabled the report of the independent review of the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020 (Foreign Relations Act) and the Government response in the Australian Parliament.

Recommendations

The independent review made 23 recommendations that focus on administration, governance and transparency of the Foreign Arrangements Scheme and effectiveness in meeting its objectives.

The Australian Government agrees or agrees in principle to all 23 recommendations. 

Background

The Foreign Relations Act commenced on 10 December 2020. Its purpose is to ensure that arrangements between state or territory governments (and their entities) and foreign entities do not adversely affect Australia's foreign relations and are not inconsistent with Australia's foreign policy.

Section 63A of the Foreign Relations Act requires a review of the operation of the Foreign Relations Act as soon as possible after 10 March 2024.  

In June 2024, the Government announced the details of the independent review including the appointment of Ms Rosemary Huxtable AO PSM to lead the review, and a call for public submissions.