✦ Plain-English Summary

Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) 2020

What it does

This law strengthens the rules around protecting Australia's essential services — things like power grids, water systems, and telecommunications networks — by updating existing security laws. It gives the government better tools to oversee and enforce security standards for these vital systems, and expands the role of the Australian Signals Directorate (the government's cyber intelligence agency) in this area.

Why it matters

Critical infrastructure affects everyone — if these systems are damaged or compromised (whether by hackers, accidents, or sabotage), it could disrupt electricity, water, internet, and other services Australians rely on daily. Stronger rules mean better protection against these threats, though they also mean more government oversight of the companies running these services.

Key details

• What gets updated: The main Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 is revised, along with related laws about judicial review and background checks (the AusCheck Act)
• Commencement: Most changes come into effect on a date to be set by government proclamation (not immediately), with some parts dependent on other laws passing first
• Who's affected: Companies operating essential services in energy, water, communications, and transport sectors will face stricter security requirements and compliance obligations

Official Description

Amends the: Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 to: enhance the existing framework for managing risks relating to critical infrastructure by introducing: additional positive security obligations for critical infrastructure assets, including a risk management program, to be delivered through sector-specific requirements and mandatory cyber incident reporting; enhanced cyber security obligations for assets of national significance; government assistance to relevant entities for critical infrastructure sector assets in response to significant cyber attacks; and make amendments contingent on the commencement of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2020 ; Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 to exclude certain decisions from judicial review; AusCheck Act 2007 to enable background checks should they be required as part of a critical infrastructure risk management program; National Emergency Declaration Act 2020 and Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 to make amendments contingent on the commencement of the National Emergency Declaration Act 2020 ; and Criminal Code Act 1995 to provide for an immunity to apply in relation to the Australian Signals Directorate for conduct occurring outside of Australia.

Committee Referrals

Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security; Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills

No formal division recorded

This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.

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No votes were recorded for this bill.