Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026

Source: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=s1493

APH summary

Summary

Amends the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to: enable the minister to make an exemptional circumstance declaration; enable the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to authorise and exempt conduct from competition law that is in the public interest and assists in the response to those exceptional circumstances; and increase the maximum penalties for breaches of the Oil Code of Conduct. Also makes consequential amendments to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and National Emergency Declaration Act 2020.

Parliamentary progress

Progress

Senate

Introduced and read a first time

13 May 2026

Second reading moved

13 May 2026

Second reading debate

13 May 2026

Second reading debate

14 May 2026

Second reading agreed to

14 May 2026

Committee of the Whole debate

Amendment details: 1 Australian Greens agreed to

14 May 2026

Third reading agreed to

14 May 2026

Official APH document links

• First reading: https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbills%2Fs1493_first-senate%2F0000%22;rec=0
• Third reading: https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:%22legislation/bills/s1493_third-senate/0000%22
• Explanatory memorandum: https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fems%2Fs1493_ems_73602a77-426e-4fa3-aa0a-2bfc4f7156df%22
• All second reading speeches: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result/Second_Reading_Speeches?BillId=s1493