Skip to content
Government Federal, Information Technology

PJCIS to review cyber security legislation package

Parliament of Australia 2 mins read

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced an inquiry into the Cyber Security Legislative Package consisting of the Cyber Security Bill 2024the Security of Critical Infrastructure and Other Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Response and Prevention) Bill 2024 and the Intelligence Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Cyber Security) Bill 2024.

The Cyber Security Legislative Package intends to implement seven initiatives under the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, which aims to address legislative gaps to bring Australia in line with international best practice and help ensure Australia is on track to become a global leader in cyber security. These measures are intended to address gaps in current legislation to:

  • mandate minimum cyber security standards for smart devices;
  • introduce mandatory ransomware reporting for certain businesses to report ransom payments;
  • introduce ‘limited use’ obligations for the National Cyber Security Coordinator and the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD); and
  • establish a Cyber Incident Review Board.

The package also intends to progress and implement reforms to the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI Act). These reforms are intended to:

  • clarify existing obligations in relation to systems holding business critical data;
  • enhance government assistance measures to better manage the impacts of all hazards incidents on critical infrastructure;
  • simplify information sharing across industry and Government;
  • introduce a power for the Government to direct entities to address serious deficiencies within their risk management programs; and
  • align regulation for the security of telecommunications into the SOCI Act.

Senator Raff Ciccone, newly elected Chair of the PJCIS, said “Cyber security and protection of critical infrastructure are essential components of Australia’s national security. This review will aim to ensure the new legislative package will operate as effectively and reasonably as possible in response to ever increasing cyber threats. The Committee looks forward to engaging with a range of government, civil society and corporate submitters.”

Submissions to the inquiry are invited by Friday 25 October 2024.

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

Media inquiries

Chair Senator Raff Ciccone, via Giulio Di Giorgio
0422 622 760
giulio.digiorgio@aph.gov.au

For background information

Committee Secretariat, Parliamentary Joint Committee on intelligence and Security
(02) 6277 2360
pjcis@aph.gov.au

For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

More from this category

  • Information Technology, Political
  • 05/11/2024
  • 09:00
Monash University

Reality check: Monash experts navigate the future of AI and electoral impact in latest “What Happens Next?” podcast series

Monash University's multi-award-winning podcast, What Happens Next?, examines artificial intelligence and its impact on reality in its latest two-part series. Hosted by Dr Susan Carland, the episodes explore how AI and related technologies are reshaping our understanding of truth, political discourse and social consensus ahead of major electoral events including the US presidential election. The series features leadingMonash experts discussing how emerging technologies are transforming our shared reality and democratic processes: Professor JoannaBatstone, Director of the Monash Data Futures Institute, examines how AI has reached a tipping point in human-computer interaction while highlighting the institute's focus on using AI for…

  • Government Federal, Medical Health Aged Care
  • 05/11/2024
  • 08:49
Better Access Australia

Albanese Government indefinitely DEFERS patient access to 44 medicines on PBS

Better Access Australia is urging community and patient groups to sign a petition demanding the Albanese Government reverse its decision to indefinitely defer 44 medicines from being listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). On 22 October the Department of Health and Aged Care advised individual pharmaceutical companies that 44 of the 77 medicine applications due to be considered at the March 2025 meeting of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) would be indefinitely delayed, citing ‘workload and resourcing issues’. The PBAC had held a secret meeting to determine those medicines they would proceed with and those they would not.…

  • Contains:
  • Government Federal
  • 05/11/2024
  • 08:27
OPAN

OPAN WELCOMES SENATE REPORT ON NEW AGED CARE BILL

5 November 2024 OPAN WELCOMES SENATE REPORT ON NEW AGED CARE BILL The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has welcomed the Senate Report on the Aged Care Bill 2024, saying it puts older people at the centre of aged care. OPAN CEO Craig Gear OAM said this was a significant step towards enshrining older people’s rights into our nation’s legislation. “I congratulate the Senate Committee for releasing its report on the Aged Care Bill 2024,” Mr Gear said. “This Bill implements 58 recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and establishes a modern, rights-based legislative…

  • Contains:

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.