Royal Commissions Amendment (Enhancing Engagement) 2023

# Royal Commissions Amendment (Enhancing Engagement) 2023 **What it does** This law strengthens privacy protections for defence members and veterans who share personal stories with the Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission. It stops that sensitive information — like accounts of suicide, mental health struggles, or systemic problems in the military — from being publicly released without consent, even after the inquiry finishes. **Why it matters** Veterans and serving defence members are more likely to speak openly to the Royal Commission if they know their identities and painful personal experiences won't be exposed publicly. This encourages fuller participation in an inquiry investigating a serious problem affecting the military community. **Key details** - The law protects information shared in public sessions (not just private ones), as long as it identifies the person or contains personal accounts of suicide, mental health issues, or systemic problems - It comes into force the day after receiving Royal Assent (so immediately) - The definitions of "defence member" and "veteran" match those in the Defence Act 1903, so they're consistent with existing military law

🔒 Voting closed — this bill has been decided by parliament