Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Sunsetting Provision) Bill extends the sunset date of section 122.4 of the Criminal Code until 29 December 2026.

Section 122.4 makes it an offence for a Commonwealth officer, or a person engaged to perform work for a Commonwealth entity, to communicate information in breach of a duty arising elsewhere under the law of the Commonwealth.

The Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Repealing Offences) Bill will make a range of amendments to the secrecy framework that would support the repeal of section 122.4. However, until parliament has considered these reforms, it is important that section 122.4 continues to apply to the communication of sensitive or confidential information by officials, in breach of their statutory duties.

The limited extension provided by this bill will ensure the parliament has sufficient time to consider the broader reforms to the Commonwealth secrecy framework proposed by the Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Repealing Offences) Bill, before section 122.4 sunsets.

Conclusion

The bill reflects the government's commitment to ensuring Australia's secrecy laws are clear and fit for purpose, while providing parliament time to comprehensively consider important secrecy reforms.

I commend the bill to the chamber.

Debate adjourned.