The cancellation covers a memorandum of understanding that the Labor premier, Daniel Andrews, signed with Chinaâs national development and reform commission in 2018. That included a pledge to work together on initiatives under Xi Jinpingâs signature Belt and Road infrastructure-building program.
The veto also targets the subsequent framework for establishing a working group, at a time when relations between the Australian and Chinese governments have sunk to the lowest levels in decades.
Andrews has previously defended the agreements on the basis that it was important to secure an increase in infrastructure investment in Victoria.
But Payne said she considered the agreements to fail the test in Australiaâs Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act, which passed the parliament late last year, after âreview and considerationâ.