Currently, the Government doesn't have sufficient ability to block transactions that are contrary to our national security, the functioning of our democracy, and other core national interests. This bill introduces a national interest test that can be applied to transactions already requiring consent under the existing regime. This power will be used rarely and carefully, and only if the Minister responsible for the Act considers that it's necessary. This will ordinarily be the Minister of Finance—not the Minister to whom most Overseas Investment Act decisions are routinely delegated. This national interest test is modelled on the Australian equivalent, which also has a wide discretion rarely exercised. 