ANALYSIS: Can the Federal Government stop states from signing deals with foreign governments?
Only the Federal Government can enter into binding international treaties on Australia's behalf.
Under the bill, the Government could scrap the agreement Victoria signed last year to join China's Belt and Road Initiative. And there is no general obligation for states, territories, local councils or universities to tell the Federal Government of their plans to enter into these agreements.What is the Federal Government proposing?seems to include three key elements.
Thirdly, a public register of existing and future agreements with foreign governments will be established., the federal parliament has power to make laws with respect to "external affairs".There appears to be a sufficient connection between what the Government is proposing and Australia's relations with other countries for the proposed legislation to be supported by the "external affairs" power.
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