Albanese Government to strengthen legal protections for those providing intelligence information to Royal Commissions

The Albanese Government will introduce legislation next week to strengthen legal protections for those providing intelligence and operational information to Royal Commissions, including the current Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

The Royal Commissions Legislation Amendment (Protections for Providing Information) Bill 2026 will also bolster the ability of Royal Commissions to receive and handle operationally sensitive and intelligence information.

It will establish immunity from secrecy provisions for people voluntarily providing information and Commonwealth agencies providing information under compulsion to a Royal Commission. The immunity will be available where information is provided in accordance with publicly available arrangements between the Royal Commission and relevant security agencies.

The legislation has been carefully worked through with the Office of the Royal Commission, relevant security agencies and the Attorney-General’s Department.

These amendments provide a clear lawful pathway to provide information to a Royal Commission without being restricted by secrecy provisions in Commonwealth legislation, and will support the operation of the current Royal Commission.

The Government has already publicly confirmed its support for reform to secrecy offences and work has been underway for some time.

These particular amendments have been expedited to ensure the current Royal Commission can appropriately receive information and scrutinise the circumstances surrounding the horrific Bondi terrorist attack in December last year. Swift passage will support the Royal Commission to undertake its important work.

Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General, Michelle Rowland:

“The Albanese Government will introduce a new framework to ensure those providing intelligence or other sensitive operational information to Royal Commissions can do so with legal immunity.

“The changes will support the current Royal Commission in completing its important work, including the delivery of an interim report by 30 April.

“The Royal Commission is an important step for Australians to come together and learn following the heinous antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi.“