What was debated: Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This bill doubles the maximum penalty for breaking competition and consumer law, such as misleading customers or price fixing, from $50 million to $100 million per offence. The Government brought it in during a fuel crisis linked to war in the Middle East, saying companies should not use the conflict to overcharge. In the House it was debated together with a separate bill for truck drivers, so much of the debate was about rushed process, fuel prices and supply.
Arguments made in support
The Government said bigger penalties would let the ACCC come down hard on any company using the war as an excuse for illegal or unfair pricing.
Labor members said the OECD found Australia's penalties were low by world standards, and the change only raises penalties without changing the offences.
Government speakers said the bill is part of a wider fuel response, including releasing fuel reserves and changing fuel standards.
The Coalition supported the bill, and moved in the House to bring it on for an urgent vote.
Independent Zali Steggall supported the bill, saying penalties must be big enough to outweigh any gain from misconduct.
Arguments made against, or for changes
Coalition speakers said the government waited two weeks to bring in the bill, and that higher penalties will not add fuel or lower prices.
Coalition members and independents criticised the government for joining a brand new truckie bill to this debate, leaving no time to read it.
Kate Chaney said doubling penalties was unlikely to change company behaviour, and both major parties were blocking proper scrutiny.
The Greens said the bill does not ban price gouging, and moved an amendment to ban it across the whole economy.
Coalition and One Nation members said cutting fuel excise or GST would give faster relief, and questioned whether the ACCC enforces existing laws.
78 speeches by 54 members in the House and Senate over 3 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 25 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 26 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 26 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
What was debated: Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This bill lets the workplace minister declare an urgent pathway so the Fair Work Commission can make road transport contractual chain orders, such as fuel cost recovery rules, without the usual six-month wait. The Government said it responds to fuel price rises from the Middle East conflict. Most parties supported it, and the debate focused on whether it gives real relief, whether the powers should be permanent, and how fast it was passed.
Arguments made in support
The Government said truckies and small transport businesses at the end of contract chains cannot pass on surging fuel costs and need faster help.
Government senators said consultation and existing safeguards stay in place, and orders under the urgent pathway last six months.
Government speakers said trucking groups and the Transport Workers' Union had all backed the bill.
The Greens supported the bill as relief for those at the bottom of the supply chain, but said many other workers also need help with fuel costs.
One Nation supported the bill, saying trucking deserves first attention because it affects every Australian quickly.
Arguments made against, or for changes
Coalition senators said the bill gives no immediate relief at the bowser, and called for halving fuel excise and cutting the road user charge instead.
The Coalition said the power is permanent, and moved amendments for a sunset clause, an independent review, required consultation and limiting orders to fuel.
Coalition and One Nation speakers said the bill was rushed through without committee scrutiny and gives the minister broad powers.
One Nation said higher freight charges could push up prices for consumers, and urged use of the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act.
Coalition speakers said only one application had been made under the existing scheme, so the urgency was not justified.
38 speeches by 21 members in the House and Senate over 3 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 26 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 26 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 30 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Every party member who voted went with the majority of their party.