Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Wednesday 1 July 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned amendments to the Foreign Arrangements Scheme to enhance oversight of international engagements by state, territory, and local governments. The Assistant Minister argued the reforms would strengthen national interest protections while reducing administrative burdens based on an independent review. No other members spoke, and the debate was adjourned without a recorded vote in the transcript.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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2. Wednesday 19 August 2026 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   The debate centred on an amendment moved by the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs to close a perceived gap in national security oversight. The amendment sought to bring significant researcher-to-researcher collaborations involving foreign entities under the Foreign Arrangements Scheme, even if the university itself was not a party to the agreement. The Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade opposed the amendment, citing existing espionage laws and the findings of the Huxtable review, which concluded the current framework balanced oversight with reduced regulatory burden. The Shadow Minister argued that reliance on media exposure rather than government assessment indicated a failure in the current regime. The question on the amendment remained unresolved at the end of the recorded debate.

   Outcome: The question on the amendment was unresolved.

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3. Wednesday 19 August 2026 · House of Representatives

   Report from Federation Chamber
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4. Wednesday 19 August 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned amendments to the Foreign Arrangements Scheme to streamline processes for low-risk international engagements while strengthening oversight of high-risk arrangements. The government argued the bill implements recommendations from the Huxtable review to reduce bureaucracy and better target national security risks. The opposition supported the bill's principles but moved an amendment to extend notification requirements to researcher-to-researcher collaborations, citing gaps in current coverage. The bill was passed on second reading.

   Outcome: The question was agreed to and the bill was read a second time.

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5. Wednesday 19 August 2026 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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6. Wednesday 19 August 2026 · House of Representatives

   Bill Debate
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7. Thursday 20 August 2026 · House of Representatives

   Consideration of Senate Message

   The House considered amendments to the bill regarding the Australia's Foreign Arrangements Scheme. The Attorney-General moved for the amendment to be agreed to. The Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs acknowledged the government's constructive engagement but argued the amendment failed to fully close a national security loophole concerning researcher-level collaborations. While welcoming the step forward, the opposition insisted that statutory obligations for individual researchers were still missing and pledged continued pressure.

   Outcome: The amendment was agreed to.

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8. Thursday 20 August 2026 · Senate

   Limitation of Debate
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