Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

FOREIGN INFLUENCE TRANSPARENCY SCHEME ACT 2018

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

   PART 1--PRELIMINARY

           Division 1--Preliminary

   1.      Short title  
   2.      Commencement  
   3.      Object  
   4.      Simplified outline of this Act  
   5.      Extension to external Territories  
   7.      Constitutional basis and severability  
   8.      Application to Commonwealth, States and Territories  
   9.      Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws  
   9A.     Relationship of this Act to certain privileges and immunities  

           Division 2--Definitions

   10.     Definitions  
   11.     Undertaking activity on behalf of a foreign principal  
   12.     Activity for the purpose of political or governmental influence  
   13.     Communications activity  
   13A.    Registrable arrangement  
   14.     Purpose of activity  

           Division 3--Transparency notices

   14A.    Transparency notices  
   14B.    Provisional transparency notice  
   14C.    Submissions in relation to provisional transparency notice  
   14D.    When a transparency notice is in force  
   14E.    Varying or revoking transparency notices  
   14F.    Transparency notice is not a legislative instrument  
   14G.    Requirements in relation to procedural fairness  
   14H.    Review of decisions relating to transparency notices  
   14J.    Protection against actions for defamation  

   PART 2--REGISTRATION--UNDER THE SCHEME

           Division 1--Simplified outline of this Part

   15.     Simplified outline of this Part  

           Division 2--Requirement to register

   16.     Requirement to register  
   17.     When a person is registered under the scheme  
   18.     Persons who are liable to register  
   19.     Ceasing to be liable to register  

           Division 3--Registrable activities

   20.     Registrable activities: parliamentary lobbying on behalf of foreign government  
   21.     Registrable activities: activities in Australia for the purpose of political or governmental influence  
   22.     Registrable activities: former Cabinet Ministers  
   23.     Registrable activities: recent designated position holders  

           Division 4--Exemptions

   24.     Exemption: humanitarian aid or assistance  
   25.     Exemption: legal advice or representation  
   25A.    Exemption: members of Parliament and statutory office holders  
   26.     Exemption: diplomatic, consular or similar activities  
   27.     Exemption: religion  
   29.     Exemption: foreign government employees and commercial or business pursuits  
   29A.    Exemption: industry representative bodies  
   29B.    Exemption: personal representation in relation to government administrative process etc.  
   29C.    Exemption: registered charities  
   29D.    Exemption: artistic purposes  
   29E.    Exemption: certain registered organisations  
   29F.    Exemption: activities of members of certain professions  
   30.     Exemption: prescribed circumstances  

           Division 5--End of registration

   31.     Notice of end of liability to register  
   32.     End of registration  

   PART 3--RESPONSIBILITIES--UNDER THE SCHEME

           Division 1--Simplified outline of this Part

   33.     Simplified outline of this Part  

           Division 2--Reporting to the Secretary

   34.     Reporting material changes in circumstances  
   35.     Reporting disbursement activity in Australia for the purpose of political or governmental influence  
   36.     Reporting on registration review when voting period begins  
   37.     Reporting registrable activity (other than disbursement activity) during voting periods  

           Division 3--Other responsibilities

   38.     Disclosure in communications activity  
   39.     Annual renewal of registration  
   40.     Keeping records  

   PART 4--OBTAINING--AND HANDLING SCHEME INFORMATION

           Division 1--Simplified outline of this Part

   41.     Simplified outline of this Part  

           Division 2--Register of scheme information

   42.     Secretary must keep a register  
   43.     Certain information to be made publicly available  
   44.     Secretary may correct or update information on the register  

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

   45.     Notice requiring information to satisfy Secretary whether person is liable to register under the scheme  
   46.     Notice requiring information relevant to scheme  
   47.     Self - incrimination  
   48.     Copies of documents  
   49.     Retention of documents  

           Division 4--Communicating and dealing with scheme information

   50.     Scheme information  
   51.     Scheme officials  
   52.     Authorisation--purposes of scheme  
   53.     Authorisation--other purposes  
   54.     Authorisation--secondary communication of or dealing with information  
   55.     Authorisation--information publicly available  

   PART 5--ENFORCEMENT

   56.     Simplified outline of this Part  
   57.     Failure to apply for or renew registration  
   57A.    Giving notice of end of liability to register while still liable to register  
   58.     Failure to fulfil responsibilities under the scheme  
   59.     Failure to comply with notice requiring information  
   60.     False or misleading information or documents  
   61.     Destruction etc. of records  
   61A.    Geographical jurisdiction of offences  

   PART 6--MISCELLANEOUS

   62.     Simplified outline of this Part  
   64.     Treatment of partnerships  
   65.     Treatment of other unincorporated bodies  
   66.     Approvals  
   67.     Delegations  
   68.     Agreements  
   69.     Annual report  
   70.     Review of scheme by Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security  
   71.     Rules