The Group of Eight (Go8) supports reforms to the Foreign Arrangements Scheme (FAS) that strengthen Australia’s national interest while preserving the international research partnerships that underpin economic growth, sovereign capability and national resilience.
Australia faces a rapidly evolving strategic environment, and regulatory frameworks must adapt accordingly. Reforms should be targeted at genuine risk while preserving the international engagement that contributes directly to Australia’s prosperity, security and technological advantage.
Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said the challenge for policymakers is not choosing between security and collaboration, but ensuring Australia remains both secure and globally connected.
“International engagement should not be viewed primarily through the lens of risk. In an increasingly contested world, Australia’s ability to collaborate with trusted international partners is a source of national strength, strategic influence and competitive advantage.
“International collaboration is not the opposite of national security. Done well, it’s one of the foundations of Australia’s security, economic resilience, and sovereign capability.
The Go8 supports a stronger focus on Australia’s national interest but says reforms should target genuine risk to avoid creating unnecessary regulatory burden.
Australian universities already operate within one of the world’s most comprehensive research security frameworks. These protections have been developed in partnership with government and national security agencies through initiatives such as the University Foreign Interference Taskforce (UFIT), the Guidelines to Counter Foreign Interference in the Australian University Sector and the Australian Research Council’s Research Security Framework.
Any reforms should build on these established measures and avoid creating duplication or regulatory complexity that diverts effort from managing genuine risk.
Ms Thomson said Australia must not lose sight of the fact that its position as a trusted and attractive partner for international collaboration is itself an important national asset.
“The question is not whether Australia should be secure or connected. Australia’s future success depends on being both. When Australia works with trusted partners, we gain access to cutting-edge research, diversified supply chains, shared intelligence, talent and global networks that strengthen our sovereign capability and economic resilience.
“Australia’s invitation to participate in Horizon Europe demonstrates the premium the world places on Australia as a trusted research partner. Access to collaborations of this scale strengthens our capabilities in advanced technologies, clean energy, health, space and critical minerals while advancing Australia’s national interest.”
Australia’s ability to remain both secure and globally connected will be a defining source of national strength in the decades ahead. The Foreign Arrangements Scheme should strengthen both objectives, not force a choice between them.
Read the Go8 submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security Review of Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026 here.
Contact: Vicki Thomson, Group of Eight Chief Executive on +61 447 742 910