The Morrison Government announced temporary changes to the foreign investment review framework that are designed to protect Australia’s national interest as we deal with the economic implications arising from the spread of the coronavirus.
Effective from this date of announcement, all proposed foreign investments into Australia subject to the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (the Act) will require approval, regardless of value or the nature of the foreign investor.
This is not an investment freeze. Australia is open for business and recognises investment at this time can be beneficial if in the national interest.
The temporary change will be achieved by reducing to $0 the monetary screening thresholds for all foreign investments under the Act. By temporarily reducing the foreign investment thresholds, the Australian Government will ensure appropriate oversight over all proposed foreign investment during this time.
To ensure sufficient time for screening applications, the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) will be working with existing and new applicants to extend timeframes for reviewing applications from 30 days to up to six months.
In doing so, the Government will prioritise urgent applications for investments that protect and support Australian business and Australian jobs.
Even in these uncertain times, Australia continues to welcome foreign investment, which remains vital to our long-term economic success and stability. The Government recognises that foreign investment will play an important part in helping many businesses get to the other side – securing jobs and supporting our economic recovery.
However, these measures are necessary to safeguard the national interest as the coronavirus outbreak puts intense pressure on the Australian economy and Australian businesses.
These are temporary measures that will remain in place for the duration of the current crisis.
The Treasurer will continue to review foreign investment proposals against the national interest on a case-by-case basis. Where appropriate, conditions will be applied proportionately to address identified risks on a non-discriminatory basis.
The changes the Government announced have the full support of the FIRB and its chairman, Mr David Irvine AO.
Further administrative details to give effect to this announcement will be published on the FIRB website in due course.
外资政策框架的变化
莫里森政府宣布了对外国投资审查框架的临时修改，旨在保护澳大利亚的国家利益，以应对由新型冠状病毒蔓延所引起的经济影响。
依照《1975年外资收购与接管法案》(以下简称《法案》)，所有拟向澳大利亚的投资申请，不论其投资价值或投资者性质，均须获得批准，此政策自公告之日起生效。
这不是投资冻结。澳大利亚对商业开放，并认可在此时符合国家利益的投资可有裨益。
依照该法案，所有外国投资的审查门槛将降至零澳元，即为这一临时改变。通过暂时降低外国投资门槛，澳大利亚政府将确保在此期间对所有拟议的外国投资进行适当监督。
为了确保有足够的时间审查申请，外资审查委员会（FIRB）将与现有的和新的申请者合作，将审查申请的时间从30天延长至最多6个月。
在此过程中，政府将优先考虑保护和支持澳大利亚企业和就业的紧急的投资申请。
即使在此不确定的时期，澳大利亚仍继续欢迎外国投资，这对我们的长期经济成功和稳定依然至关重要。政府认识到，外国投资将发挥重要作用，帮助众多企业渡过难关——保障就业，支持我们的经济复苏。
然而，这些措施对于维护国家利益是必要的，由于新型冠状病毒的爆发，澳大利亚的经济和商业面临巨大压力。
这些均为临时措施，在当前危机期间得以实施。
国库部长将依照国家利益，继续逐例审查外国投资提案。在适当情况下，将按比例施加条件，在非歧视性的基础上应对确知的风险。
政府所宣布的修改措施得到了外资审查委员会及其主席艾大伟先生的全力支持。
有关本公告的后续行政细节，将适时在外资审查委员会的网站上公布。
