Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018

The Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 aims to improve transparency of activities undertaken on behalf of foreign principals. The object of the Act is to provide for a scheme that registers persons who undertake certain activities on behalf of foreign governments and other foreign principals, with the goal of increasing transparency.

The Act applies to every external Territory and has various constitutional bases and severable operation mechanisms to ensure its effectiveness. It establishes definitions for key terms such as "arrangement," "communications activity," and "designated position holder."

The Act has provisions for registration, reporting, and enforcement, including a requirement for persons to disclose certain information about their activities on behalf of foreign principals. The Secretary is responsible for keeping a register of scheme information and may correct or update it as necessary.

Penalties apply for failure to comply with the scheme's requirements, and there are exemptions for certain individuals and organizations. The Act also includes provisions for annual reporting, reviews by Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, and rules for its operation.