Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Small and Family Business) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Burston for the question and for giving me some prior notice. Senator Burston, I've managed to obtain the following information from the Attorney-General. The government is well aware of the risk of foreign influence and foreign interference in Australia. Our intelligence and security agencies have advised that it is occurring on an unprecedented scale. Under the Attorney-General's Legal Services Directions, sensitive Australian government legal work, including national security work, must only be undertaken by Australian government lawyers. Foreign ownership of companies operating in Australia, and the nature of any foreign laws or obligations that are applicable to that company, is something that the government takes account of when making relevant decisions. Foreign owned companies operating in Australia are required to abide by Australian law. If there is evidence that Australian laws are being flouted, this is obviously something that should be referred to the appropriate investigatory or regulatory bodies for consideration and appropriate action.

The government, Senator Burston, has taken a number of important steps to address the risk of foreign interference in Australia. In June 2018, you would be aware, Senator Burston, the government passed laws to strengthen Australia's espionage and foreign interference laws and to establish the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme. The Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme commenced on 10 December 2018. The scheme will provide the public and government decision-makers visibility of the nature, level and extent of foreign influence on Australia's government and political processes.