Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 07 MAY 2024

Safeguarding Australia's Military Secrets Act – Implications for defence industry

Piper Alderman
Piper Alderman
Contributor
Piper Alderman

Piper Alderman

Helping shape the future of business in Australia with practical, commercial and cutting-edge legal...

View firm profile
Explore more from Piper Alderman

New laws aim at ensuring Australia's military secrets are not passed on to foreign militaries

AustraliaGovernment, Public Sector
Tim O’Callaghan
Tim O’Callaghan
Travis Shueard
Travis Shueard
Zara Cox
Zara Cox
Author LinkedIn connections

The Defence Amendment (Safeguarding Australia's Military Secrets) Act 2024 (Cth) (SAMS Act) commenced on 6 May 2024 and is aimed at ensuring Australia's military secrets are not passed on to foreign militaries

Overview of the SAMS Act

The SAMS Act's primary purpose is to protect Australia's military techniques, tactics and procedures. It takes a prescriptive approach by implementing new restrictions and penalties on Australian citizens and permanent residents with Defence knowledge who wish to or currently do work for foreign governments and military organisations.

This, combined with the recent major changes to the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012 (Cth) (DTC Act), emphasise the need for defence industry organisations and personnel to seek appropriate advice about their security and trade controls obligations.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

See more popular content from

Article

Yindjibarndi And WA Government To Appeal $150 Million Federal Court Native Title Compensation Decision

The State of Western Australia and the Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation have both filed appeals against a landmark Federal Court decision awarding $150 million in compensation for cultural loss caused by mining operations in the Pilbara region. This unprecedented case marks the first judicial determination of native title compensation for future acts and the largest cultural loss award in Australian history, establishing critical precedents for how compensation is assessed when native title rights
AustraliaGovernment, Public Sector
Holding Redlich
Holding Redlich
Article

Automated Decision-Making: New OAIC Guidance Highlights Expectations For Government Agencies

Australian government agencies face a December 2026 deadline to update their privacy policies with detailed explanations of automated decision-making systems. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner's new guidance clarifies when computer-assisted decisions trigger disclosure obligations, how human oversight affects those requirements, and what specific information agencies must reveal about the personal data and decision types involved in their automated processes.
AustraliaGovernment, Public Sector
Holding Redlich
Holding Redlich
Article

NSW Data Centre Guidelines And Network Connection Consultation Paper

The New South Wales Government has released a comprehensive policy framework for data centre investment, establishing six core principles that developments must address while promising streamlined planning approvals. The framework introduces significant new compliance obligations around energy procurement, cost recovery contributions, and demand flexibility, including a $200,000/MW Major Network Upgrade Fee and requirements for renewable energy agreements with minimum 40% wind component.
AustraliaGovernment, Public Sector
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Article

Reforms To Restraints: What The Competition And Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Banning Unfair Non-Competes) Bill 2026 Means For Employers

The Albanese Government has released draft legislation that would fundamentally reshape how Australian employers use restrictive covenants and competitive agreements. The proposed Competition and Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Banning Unfair Non-Competes) Bill 2026 seeks to prohibit or strictly regulate no-poach agreements, wage-fixing arrangements, non-compete clauses, and co-worker non-solicitation terms.
AustraliaEmployment and HR
Piper Alderman
Piper Alderman
Podcast

Employment Relations Podcast – Enterprise Bargaining In The Spotlight: Intractable Deadlock Or Genuine Agreement?

Recent Australian workplace reforms have fundamentally altered enterprise bargaining dynamics, introducing new mechanisms like intractable bargaining determinations and expanded Commission powers to amend agreements. How should employers navigate these changes to develop effective bargaining strategies while managing risks associated with mandatory terms, genuine agreement principles, and the better off overall test?
AustraliaEmployment and HR
Piper Alderman
Piper Alderman
Article

South Australian Royal Commission Into Artificial Intelligence: What Businesses Need To Know Now

South Australia has announced a Royal Commission into Artificial Intelligence, set to commence in October 2026 and deliver findings by July 2027. The inquiry will examine AI's economic and social impacts across policy, education, public services, workforce transformation, and infrastructure. Businesses using or developing AI should prepare for potential regulatory reforms and consider engaging with the inquiry process.
AustraliaTechnology
Piper Alderman
Piper Alderman
Article

Foreign Resident Capital Gains Withholding Changes: More Than Just Another Notification

From 1 October 2026, foreign vendors in transactions valued at $50 million or more must notify the Australian Taxation Office when providing non-indirect Australian real property interest declarations. These new requirements introduce strict notification deadlines, comprehensive reporting obligations, and significant penalties for non-compliance. How will these reforms impact transaction planning, risk allocation between parties, and completion mechanics for cross-border deals?
AustraliaTax
Piper Alderman
Piper Alderman
Article

The hidden risk facing Australia’s credit funds: Property values haven’t fallen, but transactions have

Australia's private credit market faces its first genuine stress cycle as property transaction velocity slows and ASIC intensifies regulatory scrutiny. With delayed exits, extended loan maturities, and increased workout activity creating pressure across the sector, fund managers and trustees must now navigate both commercial challenges and heightened enforcement risk while ensuring their governance frameworks can withstand regulatory examination.
AustraliaFinance and Banking
Piper Alderman
Piper Alderman
Article

Benchmarking “not Too Closely” – Is It Still Too Close?

The Full Federal Court has clarified the test for copyright infringement in artistic works on product packaging, rejecting a generalised 'look and feel' approach in favour of detailed side-by-side comparisons. In a dispute between Aldi and Hampden Holdings over baby snack packaging, the Court found that five of Aldi's eleven MAMIA designs infringed copyright, despite Aldi's deliberate strategy to stay 'not too close' to its competitor's benchmark designs.
AustraliaIntellectual Property
Piper Alderman
Piper Alderman
Article

Victorian Construction Industry Royal Commission: What It Means For Project Participants

The Victorian Government has launched a Royal Commission into the Integrity of Major Public and Civil Infrastructure Construction Projects, examining allegations of corruption, criminal conduct and serious misconduct across major construction projects. The inquiry will scrutinise procurement practices, labour hire arrangements, subcontracting models, supply chains, project governance and government oversight, with implications extending far beyond Victoria's borders.
AustraliaGovernment, Public Sector
Piper Alderman
Piper Alderman