The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security will hear evidence tomorrow from a range of expert witnesses for the Review of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018.
The Committee will hear from a range of witnesses, including former Prime Minister the Hon Malcolm Turnbull AC, Ms Katherine Mansted from the ANU Security College, Mr Alex Joske, and Australian universities and higher education representative bodies. The Committee will also hear from key government agencies: ASIO, the Department of Home Affairs and the Attorney-General's Department.
"The Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (FITS) is the first pillar of sunlight in Australia's framework for countering foreign interference. The FITS allows for public scrutiny of legitimate influence activities that foreign governments or entities might be conducting in Australia, or through the activities of Australians." PJCIS Chair Mr Peter Khalil MP said.
"The Committee has received mixed evidence regarding the operation, effectiveness and implications of the Scheme since it commenced in 2018. This public hearing will allow the PJCIS to hear from affected entities, as well as expert witnesses regarding the grey area that exists between foreign influence and foreign interference, and whether the FITS is operating as the transparency spotlight it is intended to be. The Committee will then test that evidence with the Attorney-General's Department as the Department that administers the FITS." Mr Khalil said.
