In 2022, National Cabinet agreed to include a Ministerial Council (the Council) on Trade and Investment in the new Federal Relations Architecture.

The Council was established to support coordinated effort and information sharing across jurisdictions regarding international trade and investment.

The Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, chairs the Council, which consists of ministerial representatives from each State and Territory jurisdiction with responsibility for trade and investment matters.

The Council is supported by a Senior Officials Trade and Investment Group co-chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Trade Commission.

Council Meetings

The Council will meet biannually.

The inaugural meeting of the Council was held on 12 April 2023 in Townsville, jointly hosted by Queensland.

The second meeting of the Council was held on 20 October 2023 in Sydney, jointly hosted by New South Wales.

The third meeting of the Council was held on 11 April 2024 in Perth, jointly hosted by Western Australia.

The fourth meeting of the Council was held on 11 December 2024 in Adelaide, jointly hosted by South Australia.

The next meeting of the Council is due to be held in 2025.

Communiques

A joint Communique agreed by all jurisdictions is issued following Council meetings:

• Communique - Inaugural Meeting of the Ministerial Council on Trade and Investment
• Communique – Second Meeting of the Ministerial Council on Trade and Investment
• Communique – Third Meeting of the Ministerial Council on Trade and Investment
• Communique – Fourth Meeting of the Ministerial Council on Trade and Investment

Secretariat

The Ministerial Council on Trade and Investment is supported by a Secretariat within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.