Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank senators for their contributions to this bill. The Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 will ensure that the registration scheme set up under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 will be fully operational in time for the upcoming election. It was always intended that historical information about persons registered under the FITS Act should continue to be published after their registration ceases. The bill will ensure that this will occur. It was also always intended that the FITS Act scheme would be fully operational in time for the next election. This bill will make sure of this.

The provisions in this bill will better give effect to the FITS Act's underlying purpose, which is to ensure transparency with respect to foreign influence in Australia's governmental and political processes. The bill will also ensure that the public can access information, both past and present instances, on foreign influence registered under the FITS Act, improving transparency for all elections to come. It's for all of these reasons that I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.