Damien Cave, our Australia bureau chief, shares insights on Australia, news of the world and feedback from readers in this weekly newsletter. Want to receive it by email? Sign up here.

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I wrote this week about some scenarios that could become illegal if Australia approves espionage legislation introduced in December. Then, on “The Drum” on Wednesday night, I talked more about Australia’s tolerance for a lack of government transparency.

But it’s not exactly a subject for live television — at least not with me explaining it — so I thought I’d return to the issue here in this week’s newsletter.

First a bit of context: Australia is not alone in trying to clamp down on information. Japan passed a special secrets law in 2014, over widespread opposition; the United Kingdom has been looking at how to tighten its controls with longer prison sentences; and American investigations into government leaks have increased since Sept. 11, tripling under President Trump.