Summary

Amends: the

to: remove the existing offence relating to the unauthorised disclosure of information by certain Commonwealth officers and replace it with a new offence prohibiting the improper use or communication of information by certain Commonwealth officers when done with the intention of obtaining a benefit or causing detriment to a Commonwealth entity or other person; and require the Attorney-General’s consent to prosecute journalists or certain other persons for secrecy offences unless otherwise prescribed by regulations; 12 Acts to make consequential amendments; 17 Acts and 5 regulations to remove certain secrecy offences and non-disclosure duties and remove criminal liability from secrecy offences, effectively converting those offences into non-disclosure duties without criminal liability; the , and to ensure that secrecy offences are proportionate and consistent with the rule of law, clarify the scope of existing offences and limit their application to non-officials; and the and to make minor and technical amendments to secrecy provisions.