Transparency Notices issued under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme

Under section 14B of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 (FITS Act), the Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department may issue a transparency notice that declares a person is a ‘foreign government related entity’ or a ‘foreign government related individual’, which means they are a foreign principal for the purpose of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (FITS).

Purpose and effect of a transparency notice

A transparency notice does not necessarily imply wrongdoing by the listed entity or individual.

A transparency notice makes clear to the public that a person is a foreign principal under the FITS. In this way, it makes the public aware of whose interests and positions are represented by the person. It also assists others in the community to identify whether they have registration obligations.

Anyone doing registrable activities on behalf of a foreign principal (such as one listed in an active transparency notice) may have registration obligations under the FITS Act.

Australia is not concerned with foreign influence activities that are open, transparent and respectful of our people, institutions and democratic system. However, failure to register activities when required to do so may attract criminal penalties.

For more information, see the transparency notice process factsheet.