Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Repealing Offences) Bill 2026

Stage by Stage

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

1. Wednesday 1 April 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the bill, which aims to reform Australia's secrecy framework by removing criminal liability from over 300 provisions. The legislation introduces a targeted offence for improper use of information and requires Attorney-General consent for prosecuting journalists. It also implements recommendations from recent reviews to ensure secrecy laws align with legal principles and are fair. The debate was adjourned without further speeches recorded in this segment.

   Outcome: Debate adjourned.

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2. Tuesday 12 May 2026 · House of Representatives

   Reference to Federation Chamber
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3. Tuesday 12 May 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   Julian Leeser spoke on behalf of the Coalition regarding two bills concerning Commonwealth secrecy laws. The Coalition supports the sunsetting bill, which extends the operation of section 122.4 of the Criminal Code by six months to prevent a legal vacuum. Regarding the repealing offences bill, the Coalition will not oppose it in the House but has significant concerns about its scope, particularly the lack of independent recommendations for the journalist consent mechanism and the removal of criminal liability for ideologically motivated leaks. The Coalition intends to finalise its position after Senate committee scrutiny.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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4. Wednesday 13 May 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centred on reforms to Australia's Commonwealth secrecy framework, aiming to remove criminal liability from over 300 provisions and introduce a new targeted offence for improper use of information. Government members supported the bills as necessary modernisation that balances national security with transparency and press freedom. Opposition and independent members generally supported the reduction of secrecy offences but raised concerns about the vagueness of the new offence and the adequacy of whistleblower protections. An amendment moved by Andrew Wilkie calling for comprehensive whistleblower reforms was opposed by the Attorney-General.

   Outcome: The amendment moved by Andrew Wilkie was opposed by the government; the bills were referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee.

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5. Thursday 14 May 2026 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   The debate focused on three amendments moved by independent members to refine the new secrecy offence and protect whistleblowers. Kate Chaney proposed replacing the 'improper' conduct test with a harm-based threshold focused on essential public interests and mandated a five-year review of the Attorney-General's consent power for prosecuting journalists. Allegra Spender moved an amendment to create a safety net for whistleblowers who fail technical requirements of the Public Interest Disclosure Act but act in the public interest. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland opposed all amendments, arguing the government's approach aligned with the AGD secrecy review and that periodic reviews were unnecessary given the low frequency of prosecutions. All amendments were defeated in divisions.

   Outcome: Amendments 1 to 3 moved by Kate Chaney were not passed in division 3 (10-73), and the amendment moved by Allegra Spender was not passed in division 4 (9-69).

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6. Thursday 14 May 2026 · House of Representatives

   Report from Federation Chamber
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7. Thursday 14 May 2026 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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8. Monday 22 June 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   Minister Tim Ayres introduced five bills to the Senate, seeking leave to incorporate his second reading speeches into the official record. The legislation addressed long service leave disputes in the coal mining sector, reforms to secrecy laws, consumer protections in telecommunications, and various tax administration updates. The Minister outlined the principles behind each bill, including debt resolution pathways for employers, the repeal of unnecessary secrecy offences, increased penalties for telecom misconduct, and adjustments to tax deductions and pension supplements. The debate was adjourned without a vote, and the bills were listed as separate orders of the day.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned and the bills were ordered to be listed on the Notice Paper as separate orders of the day.

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9. Monday 22 June 2026 · Senate

   First Reading
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