PJCIS recommends critical infrastructure bill split to tackle urgent threats

House of Representatives

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The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has backed the passage of urgent reforms as part of a proposed two-step approach to protect Australia’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats.

In its Advisory report on the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill 2020 and Statutory Review of the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 tabled today, the Committee has recommended that emergency powers be swiftly legislated in a standalone bill, with a second, separate bill to be introduced following further consultation.

This recommended two-step approach will enable the quick passage of laws to counter looming threats against Australia’s critical infrastructure, while giving businesses and government additional time to co-design the most effective regulatory framework to ensure long-term security of our critical infrastructure.

The PJCIS has made 14 recommendations in relation to the Bill, including proposing a split in the current proposed framework into two amended Bills:

  • Bill One for rapid passage – to expand the critical infrastructure sectors covered by the Act, introduce government assistance measures to be used as a last resort in crisis scenarios as well as mandatory reporting obligations; and
  • Bill Two
/Public Release.