THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) today tabled the report of its review of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018.

The Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (FITS) was established to provide the public with visibility of the nature, level and extent of foreign influence on Australia’s government and politics. The scheme creates an obligation for people and organisations who undertake certain activities on behalf of a ‘foreign principal’ (a foreign government or political party, or a related entity or individual) to be listed on a public register.

During the inquiry, the scheme was criticised for its limited effectiveness in achieving its intended transparency outcomes. The committee noted with concern the low number of registrations and minimal compliance and enforcement activity during the six years since the scheme was established.

Chair of the PJCIS, Peter Khalil MP said, “The committee was satisfied that the scheme’s objective of shining a light on both legitimate and malign foreign influence activities in our society remains worthwhile and necessary.

“Nevertheless, given the significant flaws in the scheme, the committee considers that substantial reform is required if the FITS is to meet its original intent and justify the compliance burden and resources required to administer it.”

The committee’s bipartisan report makes 14 recommendations to improve the scheme and its administration, including by amending the current FITS Act to:

• Update key components of the definition of ‘foreign principal’, including to capture a wider range of company, governance and management structures that can enable a foreign principal to exert control over an entity.
• Review all current and potential exemptions to the scheme to ensure they are operating as intended and are not being exploited for the purpose of covert malign influence.
• Insert new enforcement options into the scheme, including the ability for the Secretary of the Department to register a person who is liable to register but has failed to do so.

The committee has also recommended that the government review the resourcing of the administering department of the FITS to ensure both the level and capacity of its staffing is sufficient.

The Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme is distinct from, but sits alongside, the framework for combatting espionage and foreign interference in Australia. The committee has recommended that Australia’s espionage and foreign interference laws should also be referred to it for review.

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will inquire into and report on the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry.

The Australian Government committed to initiatives in The National Cultural Policy, Revive to revitalise Australia’s live music industry following the impacts of COVID-19. However, in the wake of numerous venues closing and cancellations of some of Australia’s most established and successful music festivals in recent years, the committee is now considering the industry-wide issues facing the sector.

Chair of the Committee, Brian Mitchell MP, said, "Australia’s live music industry is currently facing considerable operational challenges. In the last couple of years, after the reopening of live music venues and festivals post COVID lockdowns, we have seen the sector face new and unprecedented issues."

Mr Mitchell said, "Some common struggles include the rising costs of presenting live music, shifting consumer behaviours, the loss of skilled workers in the industry, and cost of living ramifications. We will be exploring sustainability and growth in the Australian music industry into the future, domestically and internationally.

"The committee would like to hear about barriers to industry growth, including to export, the impact of current grant and support programs, and capacity building in the sector. The impacts of emerging audience behaviours and mechanisms for audience development will also be explored, along with the suitability and location of venues and artist development and career pathways," Mr Mitchell said.

"The industry sits on the cusp of transformation, and it is important that opportunities are harnessed while the traditional community nature of experiencing a live event is retained.

The committee is welcoming submissions from interested organisations and individuals by April 30, 2024.

Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

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ON MARCH 26, the Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, Graham Perrett MP, presented the Eighty Seventh Annual Report to the House of Representatives.

The report contains a recommendation for reform of the committee’s foundation legislation.

The Public Works Committee was established in 1913. While it has provided parliamentary scrutiny of Commonwealth expenditure and ensured public value of proposed works, the government procurement and construction environment has evolved significantly in the last century.

Mr Perrett said, "A full review of the Public Works Committee legislation, with a view to repealing and replacing the current Act, would ensure the Committee can continue to provide effective oversight of government expenditure".

The annual report is a statutory requirement of the committee. It also includes statistics on inquiries, hearings and medium works for 2023.

For more information about this committee, visit its website.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has commenced an inquiry into civics education, engagement, and participation in Australia, and is seeking written submissions in response to the Terms of Reference by Friday, May 24.

The committee is particularly interested in hearing from people with direct experience of civics and citizenship education and challenges associated with electoral participation. This includes students and teachers, young people, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, civic and educational organisations, and people in regional, rural, and remote areas.

Committee Chair, Kate Thwaites MP, said, "In a time when we’re seeing challenges for democracies across the world, and a rise in mis- and disinformation, it’s important that every Australian has the opportunity to be informed about and engaged in our democracy.

"The committee wants to hear Australians’ experiences of civics education, and what we can do better to support democratic engagement and participation.

"So many young Australians are passionate about social and political issues, but they may not have access to relevant and reliable information about democratic and electoral processes.

"The diversity of cultures, languages, and life experiences within Australia means we need to ensure access to relevant, digestible, and accurate information about our democracy. This includes for First Nations peoples, people in remote areas and CALD communities."

The committee intends to present a final report for the inquiry by the end of 2024.

Further information about the inquiry is available on the inquiry website.

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