Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020

A State/Territory entity is required to notify the Minister of any foreign arrangements that are in operation on the commencement day, or that come into operation before the day Part 2 commences.

If the foreign arrangement is a core foreign arrangement, then the State/Territory entity must notify the Minister before the end of 3 months, or such longer period (if any) prescribed by the rules, after the commencement day. Failure to meet the minimum notification requirements for a core foreign arrangement will result in the arrangement becoming invalid and unenforceable, becoming required to be terminated, or ceasing to be in operation (depending on the nature of the arrangement). The State/Territory entity and the foreign entity that are parties to the arrangement will also be prohibited from giving effect to the arrangement and from holding out that they are able to give effect to the arrangement. These consequences will apply automatically and without the involvement of the Minister (see clauses 4 to 6).

If the foreign arrangement is a non‑core arrangement, then the State/Territory entity must notify the Minister about the arrangement before the end of 6 months, or such longer period (if any) prescribed by the rules, after the commencement day.