Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsNo. 150, 2004
Compilation No. 10
Compilation date: 9 December 2021
Includes amendments up to: Act No. 131, 2021
Registered: 4 January 2022
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the National Security Information (Criminal and Civil Proceedings) Act 2004 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 9 December 2021 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.
Self-repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
Part 1--Preliminary
1 Short title
2 Commencement
3 Object of this Act
4 Extension of Act to external Territories
5 Act binds Crown
6 Application of Act to federal criminal proceedings
6A Application of Act to civil proceedings
Part 2--Interpretation
Division 1--Definitions
Division 2--National security and related definitions
8 Meaning of national security
9 Meaning of security
10 Meaning of international relations
11 Meaning of law enforcement interests
Division 3--Federal criminal proceeding and related definitions
13 Meaning of criminal proceeding
14 Meaning of federal criminal proceeding
15 Meaning of defendant in relation to a federal criminal proceeding
Division 3A--Civil proceeding definition
15A Meaning of civil proceeding
Division 4--Other interpretation provisions
16 Disclosure of information in permitted circumstances
17 Meaning of likely to prejudice national security
18 Operation of other Acts etc.
19 General powers of a court
20 When an order of a court ceases to be subject to appeal
Part 3--Protection of information whose disclosure in federal criminal proceedings is likely to prejudice etc. national security
Division 1A--Attorney-General etc. may attend and be heard at federal criminal proceedings
20A Attorney-General etc. may attend and be heard at federal criminal proceedings
Division 1B--Court to consider hearing in camera etc.
20B Court to consider hearing in camera etc.
Division 1--Management of information in federal criminal proceedings
21 National security information hearings
22 Arrangements for federal criminal proceedings about disclosures etc. of national security information
23 Protection of national security information disclosed in a federal criminal proceeding
Division 2--Attorney-General's certificates for protection of information in federal criminal proceedings
Subdivision A--Notifying Attorney-General etc. of expected disclosure in federal criminal proceedings
24 Notification of expected disclosure of national security information
Subdivision B--Notifying Attorney-General etc. where disclosure expected by witness answering question in federal criminal proceedings
25 Preventing witnesses from disclosing information in federal criminal proceedings by not allowing them to answer questions
Subdivision C--Attorney-General's federal criminal proceedings certificates
26 Attorney-General's criminal non-disclosure certificate
27 Consequences of Attorney-General giving criminal non-disclosure certificate
28 Attorney-General's criminal witness exclusion certificate
Division 3--Closed hearings and non-disclosure or witness exclusion orders in federal criminal proceedings
29 Closed hearing requirements in federal criminal proceedings
29A Request to delay making record available pending appeal decision
31 Court orders in federal criminal proceedings
32 Reasons for court orders
33 Request to delay giving section 32 statement pending appeal decision
34 Period of operation of court orders
35 Consequence of certain court orders
36 Adjournment after certain court orders
Division 4--Appeals in federal criminal proceedings
36A Appeal against court decision under section 29
37 Appeals against court orders under section 31
38 Appeal against court decisions under section 32
Part 3A--Protection of information whose disclosure in civil proceedings is likely to prejudice etc. national security
Division 1A--Attorney-General etc. may attend and be heard at civil proceedings
38AA Attorney-General etc. may attend and be heard at civil proceedings
Division 1B--Court to consider hearing in camera etc.
38AB Court to consider hearing in camera etc.
Division 1--Management of information in civil proceedings
38A National security information hearings
38B Arrangements for civil proceedings about disclosures etc. of national security information
38C Protection of national security information disclosed in a civil proceeding
Division 2--Attorney-General's certificates for protection of information in civil proceedings
Subdivision A--Notifying Attorney-General etc. of expected disclosure in civil proceedings
38D Notification of expected disclosure of national security information
Subdivision B--Notifying Attorney-General etc. where disclosure expected by witness answering question in civil proceedings
38E Preventing witnesses from disclosing information in civil proceedings by not allowing them to answer questions
Subdivision C--Attorney-General's civil proceedings certificates
38F Attorney-General's civil non-disclosure certificate
38G Consequences of Attorney-General giving civil non-disclosure certificate
38H Attorney-General's civil witness exclusion certificate
Division 3--Closed hearings and non-disclosure or witness exclusion orders in civil proceedings
Subdivision A--Closed hearing requirements
38I Closed hearing requirements in civil proceedings
Subdivision B--Orders
38J Special court orders in control order or extended supervision order proceedings
38L Court orders in civil proceedings
38M Reasons for court orders
38N Request to delay giving section 38M statement pending appeal decision
38O Period of operation of court orders
38P Adjournment after certain court orders
Subdivision C--Special advocates in control order or extended supervision order proceedings
38PA Appointment of special advocate
38PB Function of special advocate
38PC Relationship of special advocate and relevant person
38PD Communication before disclosure of information to special advocate by Attorney-General
38PE Disclosure of information to special advocate by Attorney-General
38PF Communication after disclosure of information to special advocate by Attorney-General
38PG Communication after end of proceeding or by or to former special advocate
38PH Hearings under subsection 38G(1) or 38H(6)
38PI Regulations
Division 4--Appeals in civil proceedings
38Q Appeal against court decision under section 38I
38R Appeals against court orders under section 38J or 38L
38S Appeal against court decisions under section 38M
Part 4--Security clearances
Division 1--Security clearances required in federal criminal proceedings
39 Security clearance for defendant's legal representative etc.
Division 2--Security clearances required in civil proceedings
39A Security clearance for parties etc. to a civil proceeding
Part 5--Offences
Division 1--Offences relating to federal criminal proceedings
40 Offence to disclose information before Attorney-General gives criminal non-disclosure certificate etc. under section 26
41 Offence to disclose information before Attorney-General gives criminal witness exclusion certificate etc. under section 28
42 Offence to contravene requirement to notify Attorney-General etc. under sections 24 and 25
43 Offence to disclose information contrary to Attorney-General's criminal non-disclosure certificate given under section 26
44 Offence to call witness contrary to Attorney-General's criminal witness exclusion certificate given under section 28
45 Offence to contravene court order
45A Offence to contravene regulations
46 Offence to disclose information in federal criminal proceedings to certain persons without security clearance etc.
Division 2--Offences relating to civil proceedings
46A Offence to disclose information before Attorney-General gives civil non-disclosure certificate etc. under section 38F
46B Offence to disclose information before Attorney-General gives civil witness exclusion certificate etc. under section 38H
46C Offence to contravene requirement to notify Attorney-General etc. under sections 38D and 38E
46D Offence to disclose information contrary to Attorney-General's civil non-disclosure certificate given under section 38F
46E Offence to call witness contrary to Attorney-General's civil witness exclusion certificate given under section 38H
46F Offence to contravene court order
46FA Offence to contravene regulations
46G Offence to disclose information in civil proceedings to certain persons without security clearance etc.
46H Offences relating to special advocates in control order or extended supervision order proceedings
Part 6--Miscellaneous
47 Annual report
48 Rules of court
49 Regulations
Endnotes
Endnote 1--About the endnotes
Endnote 2--Abbreviation key
Endnote 3--Legislation history
Endnote 4--Amendment history
The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.
The following endnotes are included in every compilation:
Endnote 1--About the endnotes
Endnote 2--Abbreviation key
Endnote 3--Legislation history
Endnote 4--Amendment history
Abbreviation key--Endnote 2
The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.
Legislation history and amendment history--Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.
The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.
The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.
If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation "(md)" added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation "(md not incorp)" is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.
ad = added or inserted | o = order(s) |
am = amended | Ord = Ordinance |
amdt = amendment | orig = original |
c = clause(s) | par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) |
C[x] = Compilation No. x | /sub-subparagraph(s) |
Ch = Chapter(s) | pres = present |
def = definition(s) | prev = previous |
Dict = Dictionary | (prev ... ) = previously |
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament | Pt = Part(s) |
Div = Division(s) | r = regulation(s)/rule(s) |
ed = editorial change | reloc = relocated |
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | renum = renumbered |
effect | rep = repealed |
F = Federal Register of Legislation | rs = repealed and substituted |
gaz = gazette | s = section(s)/subsection(s) |
LA = Legislation Act 2003 | Sch = Schedule(s) |
Sdiv = Subdivision(s) | |
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given | SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |
effect | SR = Statutory Rules |
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment | Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s) |
cannot be given effect | SubPt = Subpart(s) |
mod = modified/modification | underlining = whole or part not |
No. = Number(s) | commenced or to be commenced |
Endnote 3--Legislation history
Act | Number and year | Assent | Commencement | Application, saving and transitional provisions |
National Security Information (Criminal Proceedings) Act 2004 | 150, 2004 | 14 Dec 2004 | s 3-49: 11 Jan 2005 (s 2(1) item 2) |
|
National Security Information (Criminal Proceedings) Amendment (Application) Act 2005 | 27, 2005 | 21 Mar 2005 | 21 Mar 2005 (s 2) | -- |
National Security Information Legislation Amendment Act 2005 | 89, 2005 | 6 July 2005 | Sch 1 (items 1-28): 3 Aug 2005 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
127, 2010 | 24 Nov 2010 | Sch 8 (items 1-16, 18-102, 104-106, 108-110): 22 Dec 2010 (s 2(1) items 8, 10, 12, 14) | Sch 8 (items 109, 110) | |
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015 | 126, 2015 | 10 Sept 2015 | Sch 1 (item 429): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
Counter Terrorism Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2016 | 82, 2016 | 29 Nov 2016 | Sch 15 (items 1-32) and Sch 16: 30 Nov 2016 (s 2(1) items 3, 5) | Sch 15 (item 32) and Sch 16 (item 7) |
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Act 2021 | 131, 2021 | 8 Dec 2021 | Sch 1 (items 189-210): 9 Dec 2021 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 1 (item 210) |
Provision affected | How affected |
Title.................... | am No 89, 2005 |
Part 1 |
|
s 1..................... | am No 89, 2005 |
s 3..................... | am No 89, 2005 |
s 5..................... | am No 89, 2005 |
s 6..................... | rs No 27, 2005 |
| am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010 |
s 6A.................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010; No 126, 2015 |
Part 2 |
|
Division 1 |
|
s 7..................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010; No 82, 2016; No 131, 2021 |
Division 3 |
|
s 13.................... | am No 127, 2010 |
s 14.................... | rs No 127, 2010 |
s 15.................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010 |
Division 3A |
|
Division 3A............... | ad No 89, 2005 |
s 15A................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010 |
Division 4 |
|
s 16.................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010 |
s 17.................... | am No 127, 2010 |
| rs No 127, 2010; No 82, 2016 |
s 19.................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010; No 82, 2016 |
Part 3 |
|
Part 3 heading............. | rs No 89, 2005 |
Division 1A |
|
Division 1A............... | ad No 127, 2010 |
s 20A................... | ad No 127, 2010 |
Division 1B |
|
Division 1B............... | ad No 127, 2010 |
s 20B................... | ad No 127, 2010 |
Division 1 |
|
Division 1 heading.......... | rs No 89, 2005 |
s 21.................... | am No 127, 2010 |
s 22.................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010 |
s 23.................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010; No 82, 2016 |
Division 2 |
|
Division 2 heading.......... | rs No 89, 2005 |
Subdivision A |
|
Subdivision A heading........ | rs No 89, 2005 |
s 24.................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010 |
Subdivision B |
|
Subdivision B heading........ | rs No 89, 2005 |
s 25.................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010 |
Subdivision C |
|
Subdivision C heading........ | rs No 89, 2005 |
s 26.................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010; No 126, 2015 |
s 27.................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010 |
s 28.................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010; No 126, 2015 |
Division 3 |
|
Division 3 heading.......... | rs No 89, 2005 |
s 29.................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010 |
s 30.................... | am No 89, 2005 |
| rep No 127, 2010 |
s 31.................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010 |
s 32.................... | am No 127, 2010 |
Division 4 |
|
Division 4 heading.......... | rs No 89, 2005 |
s 37.................... | am No 127, 2010 |
Part 3A |
|
Part 3A.................. | ad No 89, 2005 |
Division 1A |
|
Division 1A............... | ad No 127, 2010 |
s 38AA.................. | ad No 127, 2010 |
Division 1B |
|
Division 1B............... | ad No 127, 2010 |
s 38AB.................. | ad No 127, 2010 |
Division 1 |
|
s 38A................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010 |
s 38B................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010 |
s 38C................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010; No 82, 2016 |
Division 2 |
|
Subdivision A |
|
s 38D................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010; No 82, 2016 |
Subdivision B |
|
s 38E................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010; No 82, 2016 |
Subdivision C |
|
s 38F................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010; No 126, 2015; No 82, 2016 |
s 38G................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 82, 2016 |
s 38H................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010; No 126, 2015; No 82, 2016 |
Division 3 |
|
Subdivision A |
|
Subdivision A heading........ | ad No 82, 2016 |
s 38I.................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010; No 82, 2016; No 131, 2021 |
Subdivision B |
|
Subdivision B heading........ | ad No 82, 2016 |
s 38J.................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| rs No 82, 2016 |
| am No 131, 2021 |
s 38K................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| rep No 127, 2010 |
s 38L................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010; No 82, 2016; No 131, 2021 |
s 38M................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010; No 82, 2016 |
s 38N................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 82, 2016 |
s 38O................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 82, 2016 |
s 38P................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 82, 2016 |
Subdivision C |
|
Subdivision C heading........ | am No 131, 2021 |
Subdivision C.............. | ad No 82, 2016 |
s 38PA.................. | ad No 82, 2016 |
| am No 131, 2021 |
s 38PB.................. | ad No 82, 2016 |
s 38PC.................. | ad No 82, 2016 |
s 38PD.................. | ad No 82, 2016 |
s 38PE.................. | ad No 82, 2016 |
| am No 131, 2021 |
s 38PF.................. | ad No 82, 2016 |
| am No 131, 2021 |
s 38PG.................. | ad No 82, 2016 |
s 38PH.................. | ad No 82, 2016 |
s 38PI................... | ad No 82, 2016 |
Division 4 |
|
s 38Q................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
s 38R................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010; No 82, 2016 |
s 38S................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 82, 2016 |
Part 4 |
|
Division 1 |
|
Division 1 heading.......... | ad No 89, 2005 |
s 39.................... | am No 127, 2010 |
Division 2 |
|
Division 2................ | ad No 89, 2005 |
s 39A................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010; No 126, 2015 |
Part 5 |
|
Division 1 |
|
Division 1 heading.......... | ad No 89, 2005 |
s 40.................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010 |
s 41.................... | am No 89, 2005 |
| rs No 127, 2010 |
s 42.................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010 |
s 43.................... | am No 89, 2005 |
s 44.................... | am No 89, 2005 |
s 45.................... | am No 89, 2005 |
s 45A................... | ad No 127, 2010 |
s 46.................... | am No 89, 2005; No 127, 2010 |
Division 2 |
|
Division 2................ | ad No 89, 2005 |
s 46A................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010 |
s 46B................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| rs No 127, 2010 |
s 46C................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| rs No 127, 2010 |
s 46D................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
s 46E................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
s 46F................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
s 46FA.................. | ad No 127, 2010 |
s 46G................... | ad No 89, 2005 |
| am No 127, 2010 |
s 46H................... | ad No 82, 2016 |
| am No 131, 2021 |
Part 6 |
|
s 47.................... | rs No 89, 2005 |
| am No 82, 2016; No 131, 2021 |