Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (Charges Imposition) Bill 2017 provides legislative authority for the government to impose charges on people under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (the scheme).

Under the scheme, a person will be required to pay a charge if they make an application for registration or renew their registration.

Separate legislation is required for the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme charges under section 55 of the Constitution, as the charges will be established through a cost recovery levy.

This bill provides that the amount of the charges is to be prescribed by the regulations. The charges will partially cost-recover the scheme. This will enable government to effectively and efficiently administer the scheme and ensure it meets its transparency objectives.

The scheme has the objective of providing transparency around the forms and sources of foreign influence in Australian political and governmental processes. It is important that compliance with the scheme be encouraged to ensure it can meet this objective. The charges will be set accordingly.

The imposition of charges under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (Charges Imposition) Bill 2017 is consistent with the Australian Government Cost Recovery Guidelines.

A cost recovery impact statement will be made publicly available before any charging activity is undertaken by the scheme.

Conclusion

This is an essential measure to provide transparency for the Australian government and the Australian people about the forms and sources of foreign influence in Australia.

It is appropriate for the costs of administering the scheme to be partially cost recovered. The bill provides the legislative authority for this charging regime.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned.