Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (Disclosure in Communications Activity) Rules 2018 made under section 71 of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 Compilation No. 1 Compilation date: 25 December 2018 Includes amendments up to: F2018L01846 Registered: 11 January 2019 About this compilation This compilation This is a compilation of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (Disclosure in Communications Activity) Rules 2018 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 25 December 2018 (the compilation date). The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law. Uncommenced amendments The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law. Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes. Editorial changes For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes. Modifications If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law. Self‑repealing provisions If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes. Contents Part 1—Preliminary 1 Name 2 Commencement 3 Authority 4 Definitions Part 2—Disclosures in communications activities 5 Disclosures in communications activities generally 6 Content of disclosure for radio advertisements 7 Form, manner and content of disclosure for authorised political material 8 Language of disclosure 9 Written disclosures not to be obstructed or distorted Endnotes Endnote 1—About the endnotes Endnote 2—Abbreviation key Endnote 3—Legislation history Endnote 4—Amendment history Part 1—Preliminary 1 Name This instrument is the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (Disclosure in Communications Activity) Rules 2018. 2 Commencement (1) Each provision of this instrument specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms. Commencement information Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Provisions Commencement Date/Details 1. The whole of this instrument At the same time as the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 commences. 10 December 2018 Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument. (2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument. 3 Authority This instrument is made under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018. 4 Definitions Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following: (a) communications activity; (b) foreign principal; (c) on behalf of; (d) person. In this instrument: Act means the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018. digital banner advertising includes both of the following: (a) displaying a static or dynamic banner on a website accessed using an internet browser; (b) causing a video to stream when a banner on such a website is hovered over. electronic message means a message sent: (a) using: (i) a listed carriage service that enables end‑users to access the internet; or (ii) any other listed carriage service; and (b) to an electronic address in connection with: (i) an email account; or (ii) an instant messaging account; or (iii) a telephone account; or (iv) a similar account; except a message sent by way of a voice call made using a standard telephone service (within the meaning of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999). Note: Email addresses and telephone numbers are examples of electronic addresses. listed carriage service has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997. message means information: (a) whether in the form of text; or (b) whether in the form of data; or (c) whether in the form of speech, music or other sounds; or (d) whether in the form of visual images (animated or otherwise); or (e) whether in any other form; or (f) whether in any combination of forms. telephony includes a voice call: (a) whether or not the call involves voice over IP; and (b) whether or not the call is initiated by an individual. voice call means: (a) a voice call within the ordinary meaning of that expression; or (b) a call that involves a recorded or synthetic voice; or (c) if a call covered by paragraph (a) or (b) is not practical for a particular customer with a disability (for example, because the customer has a hearing impairment)—a call that is equivalent to a call covered by either of those paragraphs; whether or not the customer responds by way of pressing buttons on a telephone handset or similar thing. Part 2—Disclosures in communications activities 5 Disclosures in communications activities generally (1) For the purposes of paragraphs 38(2)(a), (b) and (c) of the Act: (a) the instances of communications activity in column 1 of the following table are prescribed; and (b) for each instance of communications activity in column 1 of an item of the following table, a disclosure whose content is prescribed by subsection (2) of this section is to be made in the form and manner set out in column 2 of the item, subject to subsection (3) of this section and sections 6 and 7. Form and manner of disclosures for instances of communications activity Column 1 Column 2 Instance of communications activity Form and manner of disclosure 1 Communication or distribution of printed material (a) at the end (or bottom) of each page of the printed material; and (b) in a type size that can be read by a person with 20/20 vision without the use of any visual aid 2 Communication or distribution using a website, or web page, primarily used for communications activity that: At the bottom of each page of the website or web page (a) is undertaken on behalf of one or more foreign principals; and (b) is registrable in relation to at least one of those foreign principals within the meaning of section 21 of the Act 3 Communication or distribution of an article published online or a blog post (a) at the end of the article or post; or (b) if the article or post appears over 2 or more pages—at the end of the content of the article or post on each of those pages 4 Telephony At the beginning of the communication, information or material 5 Electronic message (a) at the end of the message; or (b) if the content of the disclosure is too long to be included in the message—in a website that can be accessed by a URL that is included in the message with an indication that the URL is of a website that contains a disclosure under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 6 Communication or distribution by social media, whether or not involving pictures or other images (a) at the end of the communication; or (b) if the content of the disclosure is too long to be included in the communication—in: (i) a website that can be accessed by a URL that is included in the communication with an indication that the URL is of a website that contains a disclosure under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018; or (ii) a photo included in the communication 7 Search advertising (a) at the bottom of the landing page from the URL; or (b) if the content of the disclosure is too long to be included in the word limit of the search advertising—in a website that can be accessed by a URL that is included in the search advertising with an indication that the URL is of a website that contains a disclosure under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 8 Streaming music In an announcement at the end of the communication 9 Digital banner advertising (a) at the end of the banner; or (b) if the content of the disclosure is too long to be included or embedded in the banner—in a website that can be accessed by a URL that is included in the banner with an indication that the URL is of a website that contains a disclosure under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 10 Communication or distribution using a mobile phone application or computer application, except communication or distribution covered by another item (a) at the end of the information or material communicated or distributed; or (b) if the content of the disclosure is too long to be included there—in either: (i) a website that can be accessed by a URL that is included on the screen on which the application is open, with an indication that the URL is of a website that contains a disclosure under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018; or (ii) a photo included in the communication 11 Video‑sharing or streaming video In an announcement and display at the end of the communication, information or material 12 Communication or distribution by out‑of‑home advertising wholly or partly by visual means In a display at the end (or bottom) of the advertisement 13 Communication or distribution by projection In a display at the end of the communication, information or material 14 Broadcasting by radio (including digital radio) In an announcement at the end of the communication, information or material 15 Broadcasting by television In an announcement and display at the end of the communication, information or material 16 Oral communication made in person (a) at the beginning of the communication; and (b) in any other communication, information or material made, displayed or distributed with the oral communication Note 1: Communication or distribution of information is a communications activity only if the communication or distribution is to the public or a section of the public: see section 13 of the Act. Note 2: Section 8 deals with the language in which a disclosure is to be made. Content of disclosures except for radio advertisements and authorised political material (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), the content of the disclosure must: (a) identify the person undertaking the communications activity; and (b) identify the foreign principal on whose behalf the person undertakes the communications activity; and (c) include a statement that the communications activity is undertaken on behalf of the foreign principal; and (d) include a statement that the disclosure is made under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018. Example: A disclosure could be worded along the following lines: "This material is communicated by [name of person] on behalf of [name of foreign principal]. This disclosure is made under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018." Note: This subsection is subject to sections 6 and 7 (which provide for simpler disclosures for radio advertisements and authorised political material). Instances of communications activity covered by 2 or more table items (3) If an instance of communications activity is in column 1 of 2 or more items of the table in subsection (1), the disclosure required by paragraph (1)(b) need be in the form and manner set out in column 2 of only one of those items. 6 Content of disclosure for radio advertisements (1) For the purposes of paragraph 38(2)(c) of the Act, this section applies in relation to an instance of communications activity in item 14 of the table in subsection 5(1) (about broadcasting by radio, including digital radio), where the information or material (other than the disclosure) communicated is an advertisement. (2) The content of the disclosure relating to the instance must: (a) include a statement that the communication is a registrable activity under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme; and (b) if the advertisement runs for more than 15 seconds: (i) identify the foreign principal on whose behalf the communications activity is undertaken, if the foreign principal's identity is not apparent from the advertisement; and (ii) state that the communications activity is undertaken on behalf of the foreign principal, if that is not apparent from the advertisement. 7 Form, manner and content of disclosure for authorised political material (1) For the purposes of paragraphs 38(2)(b) and (c) of the Act, this section applies if particulars relating to an instance of communications activity in column 1 of an item of the table in subsection 5(1) are notified or announced in accordance with any of the following laws: (a) Part XXA of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918; (b) Part IX of the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984; (c) subclause 4(2) of Schedule 2 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992; (d) subsection 79A(2) of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983; (e) subsection 70A(2) of the Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991. (2) A disclosure relating to the instance may be made in the same form and manner as the notification or announcement (instead of the form and manner in column 2 of the item of the table in subsection 5(1)). (3) The content of a disclosure relating to the instance may comply with subsection (4) of this section (instead of complying with subsection 5(2)). (4) A disclosure made in reliance on subsection (3) must: (a) include a statement that the communication is a registrable activity under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme; and (b) identify the foreign principal on whose behalf the communications activity is undertaken, if the foreign principal's identity is not apparent from the information or material communicated or distributed, or from the particulars; and (c) state that the communications activity is undertaken on behalf of the foreign principal, if that is not apparent from the information or material communicated or distributed, or from the particulars. 8 Language of disclosure For the purposes of paragraphs 38(2)(b) and (c) of the Act, a disclosure relating to an instance of a communications activity is to be made in each language used (outside the disclosure) in the information or material communicated or distributed or, if no language is used (outside the disclosure) in that information or material, in English. 9 Written disclosures not to be obstructed or distorted For the purposes of paragraphs 38(2)(b) and (c) of the Act, so far as a disclosure is, under this Part, to be made in writing, the writing is not to be obstructed, or distorted, to any extent by anything in the rest of the communication, information or material. Endnotes Endnote 1—About the endnotes The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law. The following endnotes are included in every compilation: Endnote 1—About the endnotes Endnote 2—Abbreviation key Endnote 3—Legislation history Endnote 4—Amendment history Abbreviation key—Endnote 2 The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes. Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4 Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history. The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation. The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law. Editorial changes The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date. If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. Misdescribed amendments A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation "(md)" added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history. If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation "(md not incorp)" is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history. Endnote 2—Abbreviation key ad = added or inserted o = order(s) am = amended Ord = Ordinance amdt = amendment orig = original c = clause(s) par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) C[x] = Compilation No. x /sub‑subparagraph(s) Ch = Chapter(s) pres = present def = definition(s) prev = previous Dict = Dictionary (prev…) = previously disallowed = disallowed by Parliament Pt = Part(s) Div = Division(s) r = regulation(s)/rule(s) ed = editorial change reloc = relocated exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have renum = renumbered effect rep = repealed F = Federal Register of Legislation rs = repealed and substituted gaz = gazette s = section(s)/subsection(s) LA = Legislation Act 2003 Sch = Schedule(s) LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003 Sdiv = Subdivision(s) (md) = misdescribed amendment can be given SLI = Select Legislative Instrument effect SR = Statutory Rules (md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s) cannot be given effect SubPt = Subpart(s) mod = modified/modification underlining = whole or part not No. = Number(s) commenced or to be commenced Endnote 3—Legislation history Name Registration Commencement Application, saving and transitional provisions Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (Disclosure in Communications Activity) Rules 2018 7 Dec 2018 (F2018L01701) 10 Dec 2018 (s 2(1) item 1) Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (Disclosure in Communications Activity) Amendment Rules 2018 24 Dec 2018 (F2018L01846) 25 Dec 2018 (s 2(1) item 1) — Endnote 4—Amendment history Provision affected How affected Part 2 s 7..................... am F2018L01846