The Federal Government’s new foreign relations laws have passed Parliament. Here’s what that means

The Foreign Minister of Australia has just become more powerful.

On Tuesday, the Federal Parliament passed the Government’s new foreign relations laws in full.

The bill gives the Commonwealth the power to veto agreements with foreign countries struck by state and local governments, as well as universities.

It all happened with breakneck speed — the Federal Government only announced it would push ahead with the bill in August.

Less than four months later, it’s on the brink of becoming law.

So why is the Coalition moving so quickly? What’s the problem it is trying to solve?

And which agreements might be on the chopping block?

What is the problem?

The Government has framed this bill as a matter of principle rather than as a targeted strike at…