Australia’s leading research-intensive universities have submitted over 4,000 international arrangements for review as part of the government’s Foreign Relations Scheme (FRS). Under the scheme, the federal government is able to cancel international agreements that are deemed detrimental to Australia’s foreign policy and national interest. The Group of Eight (Go8) universities said their submission of thousands of international arrangements for government review demonstrated their commitment to supporting the foreign policy. “The Go8, which represents Australia’s leading research-intensive universities and undertakes almost 70 percent of Australian university research activity, takes the integrity of these arrangements extremely seriously. “Go8 universities rigorously review arrangements with a focus on defence sensitivity issues, compliance with sanctions regimes, foreign influence and in the context of Australia’s foreign policy,” Go8 CEO Vicki Thomson said. Thomson said the impact of the legislation could already be felt in universities, as potential international partners have indicated their refusal to renew contracts …