Last week it emerged that the Western Australian government, in an apparent attempt to appease the Chinese Communist Party, had given itself the right to stop people from hiring certain public venues if they identify ‘with countries whose political status is unclear or in dispute’. How effective are Australia’s legal defences against foreign governments’ exertions of influence in this country? In 2018, the Turnbull government legislated the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 (FITS Act). The consequence: those who engage in influence activity (such as lobbying or other political communications) must disclose the details where it’s on behalf of a ‘foreign government related entity’. Particulars appear on a public register.