Importantly the guidelines do not apply to non national security information.

In recognition of the need for national cooperation between jurisdictions in support of national security arrangements, including efforts to counter terrorism, all Australian Governments have agreed via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to adopt appropriate protective security measures contained in the Commonwealth Protective Security Manual (PSM) to assist the effective sharing of intelligence and other national security information.

The MOU requires all national security information held by each jurisdiction, including NSW, to be treated in a manner that meets the minimum standards in the PSM and in accordance with applicable state legislation, common law and administrative policy.

A key principle of the guidelines is that all NSW public sector agencies are responsible and accountable for the protection of the national security information in their possession and must comply with the minimum standards in the PSM for the protection of such national security information.

National Security Information
National security information is defined under the Commonwealth PSM as any official resource (including equipment) that records information about, or is associated with Australia’s:

• Security from espionage, sabotage, politically motivated violence, promotion of communal violence, attacks on Australia’s defence system or acts of foreign interference
• Defence plans and operations
• International relations, significant political and economic relations with international organisations and foreign governments
• National interest that relates to economic, scientific or technological matters vital to Australia’s stability and integrity, and
• That is security classified by an Australian government as RESTRICTED, CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET or TOP SECRET.

Security Clearances
The guidelines also set out the procedures which are required to obtain national security clearances for NSW public sector employees, including staff of State Owned Corporations, government contractors and ministerial advisors.

Obtaining Copies
The guidelines and copies of the PSM are available from the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, Counter Terrorism and Disaster Recovery Directorate. Please email [email protected] with a request for copies. Include your postal address to facilitate delivery as the PSM is classified SECURITY-IN-CONFIDENCE.

What is Required?
All NSW public sector agencies and State Owned Corporations (that hold or access national security information) are to report annually to the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet the percentage of compliance with these guidelines by undertaking a self administered review and gap analysis. Initial compliance reports are required to be submitted to the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet via [email protected] by 1 December 2008 to meet requirements under the MOU. A template for the report is included within the guidelines.

Ministers are requested to bring this Memorandum and the NSW Policy and Guidelines for Protecting National Security Information to the attention of their Ministerial offices and to all public sector agencies within their portfolios.

In addition, Portfolio Ministers of State Owned Corporations should notify the boards of their respective corporations that the guidelines also apply to them.

Provision of security clearances and national security information to NSW public sector agencies and State Owned Corporations will be dependant on compliance with the guidelines.

Nathan Rees MP
Premier

This memorandum has not superseded any other memorandum.