Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2025C00049:section:234
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2025C00049
Segment Type: section
Provision Reference: s 234
Character Range: 296578–297468

234  Public disclosure of protected information reports prohibited
 (1) A person commits an offence if:
 (a) the person discloses:
 (i) the whole or part of a report; or
 (ii) information contained in a report; and
 (b) the report is, or the information is contained in, a protected information report; and
 (c) the disclosure is to the public, or a section of the public.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a disclosure authorised under subsection 229(4) (disclosure required by another Commonwealth law) or section 230 (disclosure by authorised discloser in public interest).
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2): see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

Division 3—National security and related matters

Subdivision A—Attorney‑General's certificates about release of information