Contents

Part 1--Preliminary                                                                                                             2

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                              2

1............ Short title............................................................................................. 2

2............ Commencement................................................................................... 2

3............ Object.................................................................................................. 2

4............ Simplified outline of this Act.............................................................. 3

5............ Extension to external Territories.......................................................... 3

7............ Constitutional basis and severability................................................... 3

8............ Application to Commonwealth, States and Territories........................ 5

9............ Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws................................ 5

9A......... Relationship of this Act to certain privileges and immunities.............. 5

Division 2--Definitions                                                                                                7

10.......... Definitions.......................................................................................... 7

11.......... Undertaking activity on behalf of a foreign principal........................ 13

12.......... Activity for the purpose of political or governmental influence......... 14

13.......... Communications activity................................................................... 16

13A....... Registrable arrangement.................................................................... 17

14.......... Purpose of activity............................................................................ 18

Division 3--Transparency notices                                                                       19

14A....... Transparency notices......................................................................... 19

14B....... Provisional transparency notice......................................................... 19

14C....... Submissions in relation to provisional transparency notice............... 20

14D....... When a transparency notice is in force.............................................. 20

14E........ Varying or revoking transparency notices......................................... 21

14F........ Transparency notice is not a legislative instrument............................ 21

14G....... Requirements in relation to procedural fairness................................. 21

14H....... Review of decisions relating to transparency notices........................ 21

14J........ Protection against actions for defamation.......................................... 22

Part 2--Registration under the scheme                                                                  23

Division 1--Simplified outline of this Part                                                       23

15.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 23

Division 2--Requirement to register                                                                  25

16.......... Requirement to register..................................................................... 25

17.......... When a person is registered under the scheme.................................. 25

18.......... Persons who are liable to register...................................................... 25

19.......... Ceasing to be liable to register........................................................... 26

Division 3--Registrable activities                                                                        27

20.......... Registrable activities: parliamentary lobbying on behalf of foreign government       27

21.......... Registrable activities: activities in Australia for the purpose of political or governmental influence         27

22.......... Registrable activities: former Cabinet Ministers................................ 28

23.......... Registrable activities: recent designated position holders.................. 28

Division 4--Exemptions                                                                                            29

24.......... Exemption: humanitarian aid or assistance........................................ 29

25.......... Exemption: legal advice or representation......................................... 29

25A....... Exemption: members of Parliament and statutory office holders....... 29

26.......... Exemption: diplomatic, consular or similar activities......................... 29

27.......... Exemption: religion........................................................................... 30

29.......... Exemption: foreign government employees and commercial or business pursuits   30

29A....... Exemption: industry representative bodies........................................ 31

29B....... Exemption: personal representation in relation to government administrative process etc.       32

29C....... Exemption: registered charities.......................................................... 32

29D....... Exemption: artistic purposes............................................................. 33

29E........ Exemption: certain registered organisations...................................... 33

29F........ Exemption: activities of members of certain professions................... 34

30.......... Exemption: prescribed circumstances................................................ 34

Division 5--End of registration                                                                            35

31.......... Notice of end of liability to register................................................... 35

32.......... End of registration............................................................................. 36

Part 3--Responsibilities of registrants under the scheme                           37

Division 1--Simplified outline of this Part                                                       37

33.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 37

Division 2--Reporting to the Secretary                                                           38

34.......... Reporting material changes in circumstances.................................... 38

35.......... Reporting disbursement activity in Australia for the purpose of political or governmental influence (other than in voting period)............................................................................................... 39

36.......... Reporting on registration review when voting period begins............ 40

37.......... Reporting registrable activity during voting periods.......................... 41

Division 3--Other responsibilities                                                                       43

38.......... Disclosure in communications activity.............................................. 43

39.......... Annual renewal of registration.......................................................... 43

40.......... Keeping records................................................................................ 44

Part 4--Obtaining and handling scheme information                                  46

Division 1--Simplified outline of this Part                                                       46

41.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 46

Division 2--Register of scheme information                                                  47

42.......... Secretary must keep a register........................................................... 47

43.......... Certain information to be made publicly available............................. 48

44.......... Secretary may correct or update information in the register............... 49

Division 3--Secretary's powers to obtain information and documents 50

45.......... Notice requiring information to satisfy Secretary whether person is liable to register under the scheme  50

46.......... Notice requiring information relevant to scheme............................... 51

47.......... Self-incrimination.............................................................................. 52

48.......... Copies of documents......................................................................... 53

49.......... Retention of documents..................................................................... 53

Division 4--Communicating and dealing with scheme information  55

50.......... Scheme information.......................................................................... 55

51.......... Scheme officials................................................................................ 55

52.......... Authorisation--purposes of scheme................................................. 55

53.......... Authorisation--other purposes......................................................... 56

54.......... Authorisation--secondary communication of or dealing with information              58

55.......... Authorisation--information publicly available.................................. 58

Part 5--Enforcement                                                                                                         59

56.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 59

57.......... Failure to apply for or renew registration.......................................... 59

57A....... Giving notice of end of liability to register while still liable to register 61

58.......... Failure to fulfil responsibilities under the scheme............................. 63

59.......... Failure to comply with notice requiring information......................... 64

60.......... False or misleading information or documents.................................. 65

61.......... Destruction etc. of records................................................................ 66

61A....... Geographical jurisdiction of offences................................................ 67

Part 6--Miscellaneous                                                                                                       68

62.......... Simplified outline of this Part............................................................ 68

64.......... Treatment of partnerships.................................................................. 68

65.......... Treatment of other unincorporated bodies......................................... 69

66.......... Approvals......................................................................................... 69

67.......... Delegations....................................................................................... 69

68.......... Agreements....................................................................................... 70

69.......... Annual report.................................................................................... 70

70.......... Review of scheme by Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security 72

71.......... Rules................................................................................................. 72

 

 

 

Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018

No. 63, 2018

 

An Act to establish a scheme to improve the transparency of activities undertaken on behalf of foreign principals, and for related purposes

[Assented to 29 June 2018]

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

[Minister's second reading speech made in--

House of Representatives on 7 December 2017

Senate on 27 June 2018]