Iran, Syria Memorandum of Understanding explained

Deals struck between Victoria and foreign powers Syria and Iran went under the radar until a bombshell announcement was made overnight.

Deals struck between Victoria and foreign powers Syria and Iran went under the radar until a bombshell announcement was made overnight.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne deployed Australia’s overarching new veto powers on Wednesday night to strike down agreements between Australian states and governments in China, Syria and Iran.

The big talking point was the scrapping of the controversial agreement between the Daniel Andrews Government in Victoria and Beijing as part of the Belt and Road Initiative — a massive, wide-reaching infrastructure program to build ports, railways, pipelines and highways from Asia to Europe that Victoria had somehow become involved in.

But in scrapping other deals made under previous Victorian Governments, Ms Payne unearthed agreements that few Victorians even knew existed.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne has overthrown decades-old agreements between Victoria and foreign powers. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

In a statement, she said the veto powers would erase agreements that included a “Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Education and Training (Victoria) and the Technical and Vocational Training Organisation, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Islamic Republic of Iran, signed 25 November 2004” and “Protocol of Scientific Cooperation between the Ministry of Higher Education in the Syrian Arab Republic and the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Training of Victoria, signed 31 March 1999”.

The details of the deals struck under former Premiers Jeff Kennett and Steve Bracks were revealed courtesy of a spokesman for the Victorian Department of Education.

“Both Memorandums of Understanding are not current,” he told news.com.au.

“The Department understands that no initiatives were ever undertaken from either MOU.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamene. Picture: AFP

“The MOU with the Ministry of Higher Education in the Syrian Arab Republic was established in 1999 to commemorate a delegation by the former Victorian Minister for Tertiary Education and Training and university representatives to the Syrian Arab Republic.

“The MOU encouraged the exchange of study and training scholarships, research and future conferences.

“The MOU with the Technical and Vocational Training Organisation, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Islamic Republic of Iran was established in 2004 to encourage teacher professional development, exchange programs and scholarships; co-operation on curriculum development, and promoting links between education providers.”

In making the announcements overnight, Ms Payne said the four arrangements were “inconsistent with Australia’s foreign policy or adverse to our foreign relations”.

“I will continue to consider foreign arrangements notified under the Scheme. I expect the overwhelming majority of them to remain unaffected. I look forward to ongoing collaboration with states, territories, universities and local governments in implementing the Foreign Arrangements Scheme,” she said.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews had been criticised for the Belt and Road Initiative deal. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Andrew Henshaw

Speaking with ABC Radio on Thursday, she went one step further.

“I think Australia is acting in our national interest, we are very careful and very considered in that approach,” she told AM.

“It’s about ensuring that we have a consistent approach to foreign policy across all levels of government.

“And it isn’t about any one country, most certainly not intended to harm Australia’s relationships with any countries.”

A Victorian government spokeswoman told news.com.au: “The Foreign Relations Act is entirely a matter for the Commonwealth government.”

She continued: “Victoria will continue to work hard to deliver jobs, trade and economic opportunities for our state.”