✦ Plain-English Summary

Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Repealing Offences) Bill 2026

What it does

This bill sweeps out old, outdated secrecy laws scattered across dozens of Australian federal acts and replaces them with a single, modern secrecy offence in the Criminal Code. It also makes it harder to prosecute journalists for publishing classified information by requiring special consent before charges can be laid, and it introduces a new review process through an independent monitor to check whether national security secrecy laws are actually necessary.

Why it matters

Australia currently has secrecy rules buried in everything from health legislation to fisheries regulations—creating confusion about what's actually illegal and inconsistent enforcement. Cleaning this up means clearer rules for public servants and stronger protections for reporters doing their job, which affects what information the public can actually find out about government decisions.

Key details

• The main change: A new single secrecy offence replaces scattered rules across 30+ different laws, making it simpler and more consistent to enforce.
• Journalists get protection: Prosecutors now need special approval (consent to prosecute) before they can charge a journalist for publishing secret information—a safeguard that didn't exist before.
• Independent oversight: A dedicated monitor will regularly review whether secrecy laws involving national security, intelligence, and foreign interference are still justified, reporting back to Parliament.
• Comes into effect immediately: The law takes effect the day after it receives Royal Assent.

Committee Referrals

Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee

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