Restrictions on Signing Bilateral Investment Treaties
Trade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) Bill 2026
1st House
2nd House
Law
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Minister must not sign a bilateral investment treaty if it allows investor-state dispute settlement.
The Minister must not sign a bilateral investment treaty unless it lets Australia regulate for public welfare and product safety.
The Minister must announce the start of free trade agreement negotiations on the Department website.
The Minister must consult the Trade Advisory Group before publishing negotiating objectives for free trade agreements.
An independent analysis of the economic and community impacts of a free trade agreement must start within 3 months of publishing negotiating objectives.
People conducting this independent analysis must seek views from the Trade Advisory Group.
Criminal offence for Trade Advisory Group members or their assistants to leak protected information.
Leaking protected information carries a penalty of up to 2 years in prison or a fine.