The Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025 amends the Defence Act 1903 to establish a new Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence, modelled on the PJCIS, to strengthen parliamentary oversight of defence agencies and operations. It defines the committee’s composition, functions, powers to obtain classified briefings and documents, procedures to protect sensitive information, and offences for unauthorised disclosures.

This Bill inserts a new Part VIIIAB into the Defence Act 1903 to create the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence. The committee, appointed at the start of each Parliament, will consist of up to 13 members drawn from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, with a prescribed balance of Government and non-Government members. It will review administration, expenditure and strategic documents (including white papers and the National Defence Strategy), scrutinise capability development, acquisitions and sustainment, consider personnel and veterans’ matters, and examine warlike and non-conflict operations. It may inquire on ministerial referral or on its own initiative and report to the Parliament and relevant ministers.

The Bill grants the committee powers to request classified briefings from defence and intelligence agency heads, to require documents and evidence (subject to private hearing rules), and to operate in closed session to protect protected information. Publication of evidence or reports containing operationally sensitive or other protected information requires ministerial authorisation. The Bill establishes criminal offences and penalties for unauthorised use or disclosure of such information by committee members, staff or authorised attendees. Administrative provisions mirror those of the PJCIS and cover appointment procedures, terms of office, quorum, virtual meeting arrangements, security clearances for staff, subcommittees, record-keeping and annual reporting. The financial impact is met from existing Department of Defence resources.