The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence can investigate Australian defence agencies; it reports findings to the relevant Minister

The Committee must not publish evidence or documents from private proceedings without written consent

It is a criminal offence to disclose or publish evidence or documents given to the Committee

People commit an offence if they ignore a notice to attend the Committee; they face up to 6 months in prison

People, including defence agency staff, commit an offence if they fail to produce documents requested by the Committee

It is a criminal offence to improperly influence someone to stop them from appearing as a witness

Witnesses and officials cannot be forced to produce documents in court that they hold because of their job

The bill creates the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence. This committee can investigate Australian defence agencies and report its findings to the relevant Minister.

The Committee must not share or publish evidence or documents from private proceedings unless they have written consent.

Anyone who shares or publishes private evidence or documents from the Committee can be fined or jailed.

People who fail to attend the Committee or report for duty as required face up to 6 months jail or a fine of 30 penalty units, or both.

Anyone who fails to produce a document after receiving a notice from the Committee can be fined or jailed.

Anyone who tries to improperly influence a person to stop them from appearing as a witness before the Committee can be fined or jailed.