The first annual report from the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (FITS) has been completed.
Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department, Chris Moraitis (pictured) said that in the first 12 months since the Scheme was introduced in December 2018, no referrals for investigation or prosecutions had been made.
The new Scheme shines a light on foreign principals operating in Australia and the nature of their activities.
“The Scheme has the potential to touch many parts of Australian life – including the activities of community groups, individuals and businesses across the Australian economy,” Mr Moraitis said.
“In recognition of this broad application, much of the activity of my Department in 2018-19 has focused on awareness raising with the goal of assisting those with obligations under the Scheme to fulfil them.”
He said this focus had included the delivery of information sessions, a significant number of outreach letters and the operation of a dedicated helpline.
“The Scheme also played an important role in supporting the integrity of Australia’s Federal election on 18 May 2019,” Mr Moraitis said.
“Recognising that the period leading up to an election – a ‘voting period’ under the Scheme – is a time when there is the potential for heightened activity from those seeking to influence political processes, and a heightened need for transparency of such activities, the Scheme imposes compressed reporting timeframes on registrants during these times,” he said.
“As a result, the register was updated regularly during this period to ensure these activities were transparent.”
Mr Moraitis said 39 new registrations had been made during the Scheme’s first year.
“Of these new registrations, there were 167 activities undertaken on behalf of 67 different foreign principals, which were associated with 27 jurisdictions,” he said.
He said the registrants represented a variety of industries and sectors ranging from mining and energy, to technology and academia.
The 10-page Annual Report on the Operation of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme can be accessed at this PS News link.
