Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Repealing Offences) Bill 2026, Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Sunsetting Provision) Bill 2026; Second Reading

House of Representatives · Tuesday 12 May 2026

Continued from Wednesday 1 April 2026.

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

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.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Continued the debate

Julian Leeser (Berowra) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Leeser stated that the Coalition would not oppose the repealing offences bill in the House but reserved judgment on amendments pending Senate committee review. Leeser argued that the sunsetting bill was necessary to maintain criminal liability protections for sensitive information while broader reforms were scrutinised. Leeser highlighted concerns that the new offence framework lacked a sensitivity threshold and did not cover ideologically motivated leaks of cabinet material. Leeser also criticised the expansion of the Attorney-General consent requirement for prosecuting journalists, noting it was not recommended by independent reviewers.