澳大利亚关于外国投资框架体系的改变
2020年3月29日，澳大利亚财政部长发布了一份公告——《关于外国投资审查框架体系的改变》，具体内容如下：
莫里森政府今天宣布对外国投资审查框架体系进行临时修改，该框架旨在保护澳大利亚的国家利益，以应对我们处理冠状病毒传播造成的经济影响。
自公告之日起，所有受1975年《外国收购和接管法》Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (the Act) 约束，而提交的外国对澳大利亚的投资，无论外国投资的价值或性质如何，都需要经过批准。
这不是冻结投资。澳大利亚一直开放商业，承认在此时刻如果符合国家利益，投资仍然是有益的。
根据该法，这项临时变革规定所有外国投资的货币筛选门槛将降至0。通过暂时收紧外国投资监管门槛，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。
为确保有足够的时间筛选申请，外国投资审查委员会（FIRB）将与现有及新申请人合作，将审查申请的时间由30天延长至6个月。
为此，政府将把保护和支持澳大利亚企业和澳大利亚就业的投资，列为优先审核的紧急申请。
即使在不确定的当前时期，澳大利亚仍然欢迎外国投资，这对我们的长期经济成功和稳定仍然至关重要。政府认识到，外国投资在帮助许多企业获得另一方面——确保就业和支持经济复苏——发挥着重要作用。
然而，这些措施对于维护国家利益是必要的，因为冠状病毒的爆发给澳大利亚经济和澳大利亚企业带来了巨大压力。
这些临时措施在当前危机期间将适当维持。
财政部长将继续逐案审查违背国家利益的外国投资提案。如果认为情况适当，将按适用条款，在不歧视的基础上处理已查明的风险。
政府今天宣布的这些改变，得到了FIRB及其主席大卫·欧文先生Mr David Irvine AO的全力支持。
为落实本公告，将于适当时候，在FIRB网站上公布更多行政细节。
英文原文如下：
Changes to foreign investment framework
The Morrison Government is today announcing 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 is announcing today 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.
