The Code carries an extensive definition that is detailed below.
One of the more important parts of it is that it can include a person who holds themselves out as an authorised intermediary of a foreign public official.
However, a lobbyist in the Australian sense, who is not an intermediary but whose job it is to convince people to support or initiate business dealings is not a foreign official.
Foreign public official means:
(a) an employee or official of a foreign government body; or
(b) an individual who performs work for a foreign government body under a contract; or
(c) an individual who holds or performs the duties of an appointment, office or position under a law of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country; or
(d) an individual who holds or performs the duties of an appointment, office or position created by custom or convention of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country; or
(e) an individual who is otherwise in the service of a foreign government body (including service as a member of a military force or police force); or
(f) a member of the executive, judiciary or magistracy of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country; or
(g) an employee of a public international organisation; or
(h) an individual who performs work for a public international organisation under a contract; or
(i) an individual who holds or performs the duties of an office or position in a public international organisation; or
(j) an individual who is otherwise in the service of a public international organisation; or
(k) a member or officer of the legislature of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country; or
(l) an individual who:
(i) is an authorised intermediary of a foreign public official covered by any of the above paragraphs; or
(ii) holds himself or herself out to be the authorised intermediary of a foreign public official covered by any of the above paragraphs.
Have you been charged with bribery of a foreign official or want learn more? Read on:
- Elements of the charge of bribery of a foreign public official
- Penalties for bribery of a foreign public official
- What is a benefit in a foreign bribery case?
- Facilitation payments
- Who is a foreign official in a bribery case?
- Defences to charges of bribing a foreign official
- Using a criminal lawyer in bribery of a foreign official matters
