Further to the reply to written question 32025 (2026), what advice, if any, has he received on how that reduction was achieved without additional resource, and what assessment, if any, has been undertaken of its effect on the rigour of assessment?

Answer

I received advice in advance of the 2024 Ministerial Directive Letter being issued on how timeframes could be reduced. This advice is summarised in the regulatory impact statement: How to reduce timeframes for application decisions under the Overseas Investment Act. I also received advice on 23 March 2026 on the changes to the Overseas Investment assessment process following the 6 March changes to the Overseas Investment Act 2005 (BRF 26-225 Overseas Investment Amendment Act Implementation). I am confident that the process changes were appropriate for the risk associated with the transactions.