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Dozens of top Australian public servants eligible for ministerial powers under new defence bill

Australia passed a defence bill giving top public servants power to override state and federal laws to protect bases from drones.

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Australia passed the Defence Legislation Amendment (Accelerating Capability and Protecting Bases) Bill 2026 last month, granting Senior Executive Service band 2 and higher public servants ministerial powers to override state, territory, and some federal laws. Defence Minister Richard Marles and Defence Secretary Meghan Quinn could designate buildings, land, sea, sky, and moving vehicles as off-limits defence zones, with incursions punishable by up to seven years in jail and fines exceeding $150,000.

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Dozens of top Australian public servants eligible for ministerial powers under new defence bill

The Department of Defence's latest annual report identified 50 public servants above SES band 2 who will soon be eligible for ministerial powers under a controversial new defence bill. This legislation grants these officials, including Associate Secretary Cath Patterson and acting National Armaments Director Nadine Williams, the authority to override state and territory laws as well as some federal statutes. The expansion of executive power has sparked debate regarding the balance of authority within the Australian government. Critics argue the measure concentrates too much power in the hands of unelected officials.

The Canberra Times

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