Universities lobby for changes to foreign interference bill. The new Bill will be applied retroactively and will require agreements with foreign entities to be noted on a public register. Foreign interference activities go beyond routine diplomatic influence practiced by governments. The Russell Group of Universities in the United Kingdom (representing Oxford and Cambridge University) argued in a submission that the law would create uncertainty and risk around any future academic collaboration. These activities can undermine Australia’s national security, open system of government and sovereignty. Need to know. A wealthy person with close but hidden links to the Chinese Communist Party could still fund the establishment of a think tank at an Australian university and choose its director without falling afoul of the law. Thu, 1 October 2020 7:50PM. While Wednesdays’ (28 August) announcement by the country’s Minister of Education Dan Tehan did not name a specific country, it follows the country’s growing concerns over China’s influence on its varsities.. These would give a more precise definition of the foreign bodies the government was worried about, limit the scope to China rather than all global partners and allow for a review in three years' time. Foreign interference in universities inquiry under consideration. Tech shares rebounded from a morning plunge and helped power the S&P 500 to a 2 per cent leap heading into the weekend. The Federal Government has created a taskforce to assess foreign interference at universities. Professor Clive Hamilton, author of Silent Invasion, said the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was circumventing the federal government by targeting sub-national authorities and universities. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the crackdown last December. The decision to collaborate with the higher education sector – the Foreign Interference Taskforce included equal numbers of university and government representatives – was praised by stakeholders. Universities say the government's Foreign Relations Bill is a "knee-jerk" response that is "not fit for purpose", and are lobbying Senate crossbenchers for last-minute amendments to prevent damage to their global reputation. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia announced Wednesday that it has formed a task force to crack down on attempts by foreign governments to meddle in Australian universities… With concern growing about China's clout on campuses Down Under, education minister Dan Tehan announced more intensive consultation between schools and government officials -- including spy … The institute is one of 13 at Australian universities and the first to face targeted scrutiny under the foreign influence measures that came into force last year. (Aug. 21, 2018) On June 28, 2018, the Australian Parliament passed the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Bill 2018 (Cth) (the Bill). Michael Shoebridge of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said that if the number of agreements was in the thousands per institution, then it was critical that the government and universities “get a grip on the kinds of partnerships” that were occurring. Unbridled Evil: The Corrupt Reign of Jiang Zemin in China, Chinese City Helped Beijing Avoid Scrutiny By Asking Australian Partner for COVID-19 PPE, Councillor Says, Belt and Road, Confucius Institutes Could Be Scrapped Under New Australian Law. Amid fears of Chinese interference, Australia universities to list their foreign dealings Reuters Nov 14, 2019 Article history Online: Nov 14, 2019 … University of Sydney has provided documents to the Attorney-General's Department under the foreign influence scheme. Australia announced Wednesday that it has formed a task force to crack down on attempts by foreign governments to meddle in Australian universities. The Australian government has formed a task force to look into foreign interference in Australian universities. Australian universities have lost their bid to be exempted from a law that would give the foreign affairs minister veto powers over deals they strike with foreign governments. Universities Australia also argued that the proposed law would create a disincentive to international partners and funders. 67, 2018. She said the government had effectively acknowledged there were problems by inserting last-minute amendments of its own to the legislation on Tuesday. A paper from the Centre for Independent Studies to be published on Thursday says the bill could go further on curbing China's influence, but it goes too far when it comes to universities. This article is available to subscribers who have digital access included in their subscription. University of Queensland (UQ) student-activist Drew Pavlou, who was struck by Chinese students during a protest on campus grounds in 2019, said Australian universities were relying too heavily on the China market, which compelled them to adopt a “pro-Beijing” stance. The move comes as concerns grow over Chinese influence at Australia's universities, where Chinese students are by far the largest group of foreign students. Ensnaring universities in the net would damage the economy, she told the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee on Oct. 13. Australia Quiet on First Foreign-Meddling Arrest, but Target Is Clear. Australia's Director-General of Security noted the unprecedented scale of foreign interference activity against Australia’s interests. Growing concern about foreign influence at Australia's universities has prompted the government to launch a task force that will develop guidelines for “dealing with foreign interference.”. “If there is indeed a gap in how universities are currently managing their international partnerships, the new law will help fix that. 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The new laws will allow the Australian foreign minister to cancel agreements that states, territories, local governments and universities enter into with … They say it would put them at a competitive disadvantage with global universities just when they are facing a cost hit from COVID-19 and the Jobs-ready Graduates Package. Australian universities have been warned to remain vigilant against an “insidious threat” of foreign interference on campus, during last week’s Senate estimates hearings. Australia's parliament has passed a package of new laws aimed at preventing foreign interference in the country. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia announced Wednesday that it has formed a task force to crack down on attempts by foreign governments to meddle in Australian universities. The move comes as concerns grow over Chinese influence at Australia’s universities, where Chinese students are by far the largest group of foreign students. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia announced Wednesday that it has formed a task force to crack down on attempts by foreign governments to meddle in Australian universities… It … Australia moved to counter foreign interference at its universities Wednesday, establishing a task force to help protect sensitive research, cyber defences and free speech. Universities say the government's Foreign Relations Bill is a "knee-jerk" response … Australia moved to counter foreign interference at its universities Wednesday, establishing a task force to help protect sensitive research, cyberdefences and free speech. With concern growing about China's clout on campuses Down Under, education minister Dan Tehan announced more intensive consultation between schools and government officials -- including spy … But universities say they are being caught up in legislative overreach that would make them submit to government scrutiny more than 20,000 agreements with overseas universities, which they say would be an "absolutely massive" burden. Deborah Terry, chair of Universities Australia, said the measures arose from an “equal partnership between universities and government” and … There needs to be a design to international partnerships, not happenstance,” he added. The Group of Eight, which represents 70 per cent of all research done by Australian universities, said it was grateful to the government for three amendments that take the sting out of the bill. Experts have pointed to certain agreements signed with Beijing including Victoria’s Belt and Road Initiative, sister-city arrangements, and Confucius Institutes as potentially undermining national security. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Vicki Thomson, chief executive of the Go8, said the bill effectively removed the capacity of universities to sign up to international partnerships. The move comes as concerns grow over Chinese influence at Australia’s universities, where Chinese students are by far the largest group of foreign students. The Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme goes live on 10 December, when people or companies in Australia who are acting on behalf of foreign principals in the political sphere will have to register and detail their activities on a public website. Clive Hamilton Professor Hamilton said China's interference in Australian universities was undoubtedly the main concern that prompted the parliamentary inquiry. Foreign interference in Australia’s university system will become the focus of a new parliamentary inquiry, a “victory” claimed by student activitst Drew Pavlou. New foreign interference offences 2. Representatives from Australia’s top universities have fronted a senate inquiry into the Foreign Relations Bill, with many opposing the new measure. Premium. A Senate committee has rejected arguments that universities should be excluded from the “foreign relations” bill, which targets public agencies’ international partnerships. “(Former) Vice-Chancellor Peter Hoj, it was revealed by Senator James Paterson using parliamentary privilege, was afforded a $200,000 bonus in 2019, in part for his efforts in developing the relationship with China.”. “The bill will have a detrimental impact on how Go8 universities are able to continue to attract, negotiate and then conduct our myriad relationships, contracts, and partnerships with overseas nations and individuals for the advancement of our nation post-COVID.". University-Government partnership on foreign interference. “UQ relies on China for approximately one-fifth of its budget,” he told the inquiry. coercive, corrupting, deceptive, clandestine. Australia to tighten rules on states' and universities' foreign deals. The Fed’s policy dilemma: should it allow genuine fixed-income repricing that risks destabilising risk assets or should it intervene further? Before the pandemic, Australia had the second-highest Chinese international students numbers in the world (127,176) following the United States (369,548). That is why this legislation is necessary, I believe, to protect freedom of speech where the universities can no longer do that themselves,” he added. Foreign interference threats are to be incorporated into existing frameworks, with necessary authorities overseeing “security risks and are responsible for risk mitigation strategies.” Universities are encouraged to do their homework on the background of research partners and their links with foreign governments. Our daily reporting, in your inbox. A Senate committee has rejected arguments that universities should be excluded from the “foreign relations” bill , which targets public agencies’ international partnerships. “We are not suggesting Australia should avoid tackling security issues. Comments. Sarah Ison The West Australian. Any universities or other relevant institutions wishing to make a … “One element of the Chinese Communist Party strategy is known as … ‘using the local to surround the centre,’ that is, using good relations with local actors to pressure national governments,” he told the inquiry on Oct. 12. Australia tries to curb foreign interference at universities Australia forms a task force to crack down on foreign governments' attempts to meddle in Australian universities … Prior to his current security role, Duncan Lewis (left) served as Australian Defence Secretary from 2011-12. 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CANBERRA, Australia - Australia announced Wednesday that it has formed a task force to crack down on attempts by foreign governments to meddle in Australian universities. The Foreign Relations Bill was announced on Aug. 27 by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne. The Go8 are some of the oldest and most well-known institutions in the country. Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan has flagged new laws to combat rising fears over foreign interference at Australia's universities. An equal partnership between the university sector and Government security agencies has delivered a new set of guidelines to enhance existing safeguards against foreign interference. Australia moved to counter foreign interference at its universities Wednesday, establishing a task force to help protect sensitive research, cyberdefences and free speech. Australian universities will receive extra support to curb foreign interference in their institutions and research projects. Minister for Education Dan Tehan said the taskforce would include representatives from universities, national security organisations and the Department of Education.
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