Amid tensions with China, Canberra passes law to scrap agreements with foreign nations

Australia's parliament on Tuesday voted to grant Canberra new powers to tear up agreements signed with foreign countries. China had earlier warned that the legislation was among a raft of grievances responsible for "poisoning" bilateral ties.

Responding to such warnings from China, Greg Moriarty, the head of Australia’s defence department, also warned that a number of countries in the Indo-Pacific were deeply anxious about the future prospects for peace and stability when increasing competition between China and the United States was causing friction.

Under the new law, Australia's foreign minister will be able to scrap agreements between other nations and sub-national bodies such as state and territory governments, local councils and universities where he or she believes that they undermine foreign policy, reported South China Morning Post.

Following the vote for new law foreign Minister Marise Payne said the legislation would ensure agreements were consistent with Australia's foreign policy in an "increasingly globalised world".

The list was released last month by Chinese Embassy in Canberra which also takes account of Canberra's 2018 ban on Huawei's involvement in 5G. List also sights the adverse media report in Australia on Huawei. 

Nathan Attrill, who is a researcher at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, which is part-funded by the Australian, US and British governments, said, 'It certainly is not going to help alleviate the current [fight] between the two governments but as Beijing has the right to decide the scope of China's engagement with foreign countries, so does Canberra'.