What was debated: Aviation Consumer Protection 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 sets up a new consumer protection system for air travel, with an independent Aviation Consumer Ombudsperson for complaints, a charter of minimum standards for airlines and airports, and a regulator to enforce it. It also moves the Aircraft Noise Ombudsperson into the transport department, away from Airservices Australia. The debate focused on whether passengers should get automatic compensation for delays, how regional airlines and airports would be treated, and how much detail was left to regulations.
Arguments made in support
The government said the industry-run complaints body had failed and passengers now get a free, independent ombudsperson that can make binding decisions.
Government members said passengers will get cash refunds instead of forced credits and help with meals, transport and hotels when disruptions are the airline's fault.
The government said automatic compensation can push up fares and threaten thin regional routes without improving on-time performance.
Members from areas near airports welcomed a noise ombudsperson separate from Airservices Australia.
Arguments made against, or for changes
The Coalition said the bill adds bureaucracy but no direct compensation, and should cover Airservices Australia and protect unused COVID flight credits.
Coalition and crossbench members said the regional airport exemption should be written into the law, not left to the minister.
Crossbench MPs and the Greens said the charter was not in the bill and called for fixed compensation like in Europe and Canada.
The Greens said the noise ombudsperson is still not truly independent and called for action on Brisbane aircraft noise.
51 speeches by 37 members in the House and Senate over 4 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 1 Apr 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 25 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 29 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 30 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
What was debated: Aviation Consumer Protection (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) 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 supports a new aviation consumer protection law. The minister said it makes clear that an airline breaking the consumer charter will not lose its licence under the Air Navigation Act, and it moves the Aircraft Noise Ombudsperson to a new independent, legislated role. The transcript only covers the minister's speech and the final vote.
Arguments made in support
The minister said the bill gives clarity about the consequences for airlines that breach the charter.
The minister said it allows a smooth move to an independent, statutory Aircraft Noise Ombudsperson.
2 speeches by 1 member in the House over 2 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 1 Apr 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 29 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
What was debated: Aviation Consumer Protection Levy 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 minister set a yearly levy on the aviation industry to pay the costs of a new Aviation Consumer Protection Authority. It is part of a package of bills on aviation consumer protection. The transcript only contains the minister's opening speech and the final vote, with no debate.
Arguments made in support
The Government said the levy would recover the cost of running the new consumer protections from the aviation industry.
The Government said the minister must consider whether each company pays a fair share of the total levy.
2 speeches by 1 member in the House over 2 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 1 Apr 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 29 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
What was debated: Aviation Consumer Protection Levy (Collection) 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 sets out how levies will be collected from regulated businesses to cover the running costs of the new Aviation Consumer Protection Authority. The authority is set up by a separate bill as part of the transport department. The transcript only includes the minister's introduction and the final vote, with no recorded debate.
Arguments made in support
The Government said the bill lets the costs of the new aviation consumer protection regulator be recovered from the businesses it regulates.
The Government said it sets clear steps for collecting and managing the charges, in line with the separate levy bill.
2 speeches by 1 member in the House over 2 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 1 Apr 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 29 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Every party member who voted went with the majority of their party.