Factsheet 2 – Influence vs interference
Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme
Factsheets in your language
- برنامج شفافية النفوذ الأجنبي
- Σύστημα Διαφάνειας για την Εξωτερική Επιρροή
- Skema Transparansi Pengaruh Asing
- Regime di Trasparenza dell’Influenza Estera
- 외국 영향력 투명성 제도
- Програма за транспарентност на странски влијанија
- Программа прозрачности иностранного влияния
- 外国影响力透明度计划
- Plan de transparencia de la influencia extranjera
- Yabancı Etkisi Şeffaflık Sistemi
- Chương Trình Minh Bạch Về Sự Ảnh Hưởng Của Nước Ngoài
What is the difference between 'foreign influence' and 'foreign interference'?
Foreign interference goes beyond the routine diplomatic influence that is commonly practised by governments. 'Foreign interference' includes covert, deceptive and coercive activities intended to affect an Australian political or governmental process that are directed, subsidised or undertaken by (or on behalf of) foreign actors to advance their interests or objectives.
Foreign interference poses a significant risk to Australia's open system of government and national sovereignty. Foreign interference activities directed against Australia could limit or shape government independent judgements and can corrupt the integrity of established systems. Foreign interference into Australia's political system could erode public confidence in its political and government institutions and could also interfere with private-sector decision-making. This can be to the detriment of national security and economic prosperity. For these reasons, foreign interference is a serious criminal offence under the Commonwealth's Criminal Code, punishable by up to 20 years' imprisonment.