Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2021C00298:section:64:p4
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2021C00298
Segment Type: section
Provision Reference: s 64 (pt 4/10)
Character Range: 46512–49753

State statutes and administrative arrangements authorise or delegate responsibilities to Local Government, and in a manner which reflects the concept of partnership between the Commonwealth, State and Local Governments.
    1.13 Questions of interpretation of this Agreement are to be raised in the first instance in the appropriate Ministerial Council(s) after consultation by the Chair of the Ministerial Council with the President of the Australian Local Government Association where appropriate. Where these mechanisms do not resolve the interpretation, the matter will be dealt with by reference from the Ministerial Council(s) to First Ministers.
SECTION 2—ROLES OF THE PARTIES—RESPONSIBILITIES AND INTERESTS
    2.1  RESPONSIBILITIES AND INTERESTS OF ALL PARTIES
    2.1.1 The following will guide the parties in defining the roles, responsibilities and interests of all levels of Government in relation to the environment and in particular in determining the content of Schedules to this Agreement.
    2.2  RESPONSIBILITIES AND INTERESTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
    2.2.1 The responsibilities and interests of the Commonwealth in safeguarding and accommodating national environmental matters include:
          (i) matters of foreign policy relating to the environment and, in particular, negotiating and entering into international agreements relating to the environment and ensuring that international obligations relating to the environment are met by Australia;
          (ii) ensuring that the policies or practices of a State do not result in significant adverse external effects in relation to the environment of another State or the lands or territories of the Commonwealth or maritime areas within Australia's jurisdiction (subject to any existing Commonwealth legislative arrangements in relation to maritime areas).
          (iii) facilitating the co‑operative development of national environmental standards and guidelines as agreed in Schedules to this Agreement.
    2.2.2 When considering its responsibilities and interests under paragraph 2.2.1(ii), the Commonwealth will have regard to the role of the States in dealing with significant adverse external effects as determined in 2.5.5 of this Agreement, and any action taken pursuant to 2.5.5.
    2.2.3 The Commonwealth has responsibility for the management (including operational policy) of living and non‑living resources on land which the Commonwealth owns or which it occupies for its own use.
    2.3  RESPONSIBILITIES AND INTERESTS OF THE STATES
    2.3.1 Each State will continue to have responsibility for the development and implementation of policy in relation to environmental matters which have no significant effects on matters which are the responsibility of the Commonwealth or any other State.
    2.3.2 Each State has responsibility for the policy, legislative and administrative framework within which living and non living resources are managed within the State.
    2.3.3 The States have an interest in the development of Australia's position in relation to any proposed international agreements (either bilateral or multilateral) of environmental significance which may impact on the discharge of their responsibilities.
    2.3.4 The States have