Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

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

Senate · Thursday 12 March 2026

Continued from Tuesday 3 March 2026.

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

At a glance

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.

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

How the debate unfolded

Continued the debate

Michaelia Cash (WA) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Cash stated the Coalition supported the bill's objective of protecting those providing intelligence to royal commissions. Cash criticised the government for rushing national security legislation through the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security with insufficient scrutiny, citing previous instances of compressed inquiry timeframes. Cash highlighted the resignation of Dennis Richardson, a former ASIO director-general, who stated he felt surplus to requirements in the royal commission. Cash argued the Prime Minister should act to restore Richardson's involvement and called for more than one royal commissioner to ensure evidence is properly tested.

Government response

Nita Green (Assistant Minister for Tourism; Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs; Assistant Minister for Northern Australia) ALP QLD

Green argued the bill creates a lawful pathway for providing sensitive information without fear of liability, which is critical for the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. Green noted the government agreed with the committee's recommendation to pass the bill quickly and would consider further secrecy reforms in due course. Green rejected Senator Lambie's amendment regarding parliamentary privilege, stating that changes to privilege should be rare and that the bill does not infringe upon it. Green defended the royal commission's integrity following Richardson's resignation, noting his own comments that the government was not responsible for his departure.