Royal Commissions Legislation Amendment (Protections for Providing Information) Bill 2026

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Monday 2 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the bill, which establishes a framework for royal commissions to handle sensitive intelligence and operational information. The legislation aims to remove legal barriers that deter witnesses from providing evidence to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion and future commissions. It introduces immunities from secrecy offences and a defence in the Criminal Code for those who disclose information in accordance with approved arrangements. The debate was adjourned following the Attorney-General's speech.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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2. Tuesday 3 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned legislation to allow the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion to access intelligence and operationally sensitive information by overriding certain secrecy provisions. The Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians supported the bill's objective but called for a parliamentary inquiry to scrutinise the changes to national security laws. An independent senator welcomed the reforms but raised concerns about protections for voluntary witnesses and the need for broader secrecy law reform. The Attorney-General moved the second reading, and the bill was passed.

   Outcome: The bill was read a second time and agreed to.

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3. Tuesday 3 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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4. Tuesday 3 March 2026 · Senate

   First Reading

   The Senate considered the first reading of the Royal Commissions Legislation Amendment (Protections for Providing Information) Bill 2026. The bill aims to protect individuals providing information to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion and clarify agency authority to produce documents. The legislation was prioritised to ensure information availability for the commission's interim report due in April 2026. The bill was read a first time and approved for consideration during the current sittings.

   Outcome: The bill was read a first time and approved for consideration during the 2026 Autumn sittings.

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5. Tuesday 3 March 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Senate debated the Royal Commissions Legislation Amendment (Protections for Providing Information) Bill 2026, which aims to facilitate the flow of sensitive intelligence and operational information to Royal Commissions. The legislation introduces immunities from secrecy offences for individuals who disclose such information in accordance with approved arrangements. It also establishes a defence in the Criminal Code for communicating relevant information to Royal Commissions, aligning them with courts and integrity agencies. The bill specifically supports the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion while creating an enduring framework for future inquiries. The debate was adjourned following the second reading speech.

   Outcome: Debate adjourned.

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6. Thursday 12 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Report from Committee

   The debate concerned the advisory report on the Royal Commissions Legislation Amendment (Protections for Providing Information) Bill 2026. The bill aims to amend the Royal Commissions Act 1902 and the Criminal Code Act 1995 to allow the sharing of sensitive intelligence with royal commissions under specific arrangements. The committee argued that current secrecy laws impede the work of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, which is investigating the Bondi Beach shootings. The report recommended the bill be passed to balance public interest in information access with national security protections.

   Outcome: The committee recommended that the bill be passed without delay.

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7. Thursday 12 March 2026 · Senate

   In Committee

   Senator David Shoebridge moved an amendment on behalf of Senator Lambie to amend the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987. The proposal sought to ensure that royal commissions could draw inferences from parliamentary proceedings when their terms of reference required an examination of government. Shoebridge argued this would allow commissioners to use public parliamentary reports to inform their recommendations. The amendment was negatived by the chamber.

   Outcome: The amendment was negatived.

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8. Thursday 12 March 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Senate debated legislation to protect individuals providing sensitive intelligence to royal commissions from secrecy offences. The Coalition supported the bill but criticised the government's handling of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security and the resignation of royal commission advisor Dennis Richardson. The Greens opposed the bill as insufficient, arguing it gave security agencies veto power over evidence and failed to address parliamentary privilege issues raised by the veterans royal commission. The government defended the bill as necessary for the current royal commission into antisemitism and rejected amendments regarding parliamentary privilege.

   Outcome: The bill was read a second time.

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9. Thursday 12 March 2026 · Senate

   Third Reading
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