Hockey targets foreign investment

Last month, Mr Hockey tabled the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 that’s aimed at strengthening Australia's foreign investment framework.

Mr Hockey said Australia’s foreign investment rules have not been significantly revised since their introduction in 1975 and have not kept pace with the changes in global investment.

He said the Bill implemented the government's commitment to lower the screening thresholds for investments in Australian agriculture via the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).

“Since March 1, 2015, the screening threshold for foreign purchases of agricultural land has been lowered from $252 million to $15 million based on the cumulative value of agricultural land owned by that investor,” he said.

“The government is also introducing a $55 million threshold for direct interests in agribusinesses from December 1, 2015.

“Australians can have confidence that investments in agriculture will be scrutinised to ensure that they are not contrary to the national interest."

Mr Hockey also introduced the Register of Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land Bill 2015 to complement the lower agricultural screening thresholds.

He said on July 1, the government established a register of foreign ownership of agricultural land operated by the Australian Taxation Office.

All existing holdings must be registered with the ATO by December 31 this year and any new interests registered within 30 days, he said.

“The ATO is collecting information such as the location and size of the property and size of the interest acquired,” he said.

“The government is also working with the states and territories to use their land titles data to expand the register in the future.

“For the first time, the land register will provide a clear picture on the actual levels of foreign ownership of agricultural land in Australia.”

He also introduced the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Bill 2015 “to ensure Australian taxpayers are no longer required to fund the costs of the administering and enforcing the foreign investment regime”.

Under that Bill, residential and agricultural properties valued at $1 million or less, foreign investors will pay a fee of $5000.

The Bills have been referred to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee for an inquiry that’s due to report by October 12 this year with the submissions deadline being September 18.