7Act not to prejudice Australia’s defence

#### 7 Act not to prejudice Australia’s defence (1) Nothing in this Act requires or permits a person to take any action, or to refrain from taking any action, that would be, or could reasonably be expected to be, prejudicial to Australia’s defence. (2) Without limiting, by implication, the generality of subsection (1), the Chief of the Defence Force may, after consulting with the Minister, by notice in writing, declare that specified provisions of this Act do not apply, or apply subject to such modifications and adaptations as are set out in the declaration, in relation to a specified member of the Defence Force, or members of the Defence Force included in a specified class of such members, and such a declaration has effect accordingly. (3) In the exercise of the power under subsection (2), the Chief of the Defence Force must take into account the need to promote the objects of this Act to the greatest extent consistent with the maintenance of Australia’s defence. (4) A notice in writing under subsection (2) is a disallowable instrument for the purpose of section 46A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.