Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026, Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026; Second Reading

France supported both bills, arguing they held fuel companies accountable for exploiting global volatility. France noted the penalty increase to $100 million per offence and the removal of the six-month waiting period for trucking contract chain orders. France criticised the opposition's past record on fuel security, including reliance on overseas reserves.

Chaney criticised the procedural rush by both parties, stating it prevented proper scrutiny of the legislation. Chaney questioned whether doubling penalties would effectively deter price gouging or change prosecution outcomes. Chaney raised concerns about the Fair Work bill's emergency powers, asking for clarity on transparency, accountability, and potential impacts on small transport businesses.

Cook supported the penalty bill, arguing that fines must act as a significant deterrent against corporate misconduct. Cook referenced an OECD recommendation to increase penalties and noted the ACCC's ongoing investigation into major fuel suppliers. Cook emphasised that the changes did not alter offences but increased consequences for cartel behaviour and misleading conduct.

Steggall agreed to the urgent debate due to the severity of fuel shortages but criticised the parliamentary gamesmanship. Steggall supported stronger penalties to outweigh benefits gained from price gouging. Steggall acknowledged the need for the Fair Work bill to address transport sector impacts but called for better behaviour from major parties regarding legislative scrutiny.

Neumann supported both bills, highlighting Labor's history of strengthening consumer protection laws. Neumann argued the Fair Work amendment was vital for truck drivers facing fuel cost spikes due to Middle East conflict. Neumann challenged the opposition to support measures backed by the transport industry and unions.

Thompson supported the ACCC penalty bill but opposed the rushed inclusion of the Fair Work bill, citing bad governance. Thompson questioned the government's claims about fuel supply levels given reports of empty stations. Thompson argued that elected members should focus on making fuel affordable rather than engaging in political tactics.

Campbell defended the government's focus on cost-of-living relief and national interest. Campbell reiterated the doubling of ACCC penalties to $100 million and the support for truck drivers via the Fair Work amendment. Campbell highlighted the release of domestic fuel reserves and the establishment of a national taskforce.

Hamilton criticised the government for delaying the ACCC bill while boasting about crackdowns, then rushing the Fair Work bill without scrutiny. Hamilton described the procedural tactic as disgusting and contrary to parliamentary norms. Hamilton emphasised the severe impact of fuel shortages on regional communities and farmers.

Clutterham supported the bills as part of a coordinated national response to global fuel volatility. Clutterham highlighted the doubling of penalties and the empowerment of the ACCC to issue on-the-spot fines. Clutterham also discussed the long-term need for energy self-resilience and sustainable aviation fuel to reduce reliance on imported fuels.

Caldwell supported the ACCC bill but criticised the government's delayed response to the fuel crisis. Caldwell argued that the opposition acted constructively by bringing the bill forward. Caldwell highlighted the severe impact of diesel price hikes on farmers and industry, calling for more comprehensive action.

Thwaites supported both bills, arguing they ensured fairness for consumers and truck drivers. Thwaites stated that global pressures were not an excuse for corporate misconduct. Thwaites reiterated government actions including reserve releases and standard amendments, contrasting them with the opposition's lack of substantive ideas.

Wallace described the fuel crisis as urgent, citing impacts on fishermen and businesses. Wallace criticised the government for lacking a plan and blaming consumers. Wallace argued that the focus should be on getting fuel flowing and controlling prices, rather than procedural debates.

Miller-Frost supported the bills, arguing they protected consumers from price manipulation linked to Middle East conflict. Miller-Frost highlighted the coordination with state governments and the release of domestic fuel reserves. Miller-Frost called on the opposition to stop political stunts and support the legislation.

Buchholz, a former transport operator, argued that doubling penalties would not lower fuel prices. Buchholz suggested discussing fuel excise reductions as a more immediate relief measure. Buchholz highlighted severe supply disruptions in his electorate, noting that distributors were receiving significantly fewer loads.

Moncrieff supported the bills, stating they restored trust in the system by holding bad actors accountable. Moncrieff emphasised that international conflict was not an excuse for ripping off Australians. Moncrieff reiterated the government's actions to boost supply and strengthen enforcement.

Willcox questioned the logic of doubling penalties when enforcement actions were lacking. Willcox launched a website to report fuel shortages, arguing there was a distribution problem. Willcox criticised the government for rushing legislation without scrutiny and warned against rationing in regional areas.

Gosling supported both bills, highlighting the removal of the six-month wait for trucking contract chain orders. Gosling cited testimony from the Northern Territory Road Transport Association regarding financial strain on small operators. Gosling listed extensive government actions to address fuel affordability and security.

Kennedy supported doubling ACCC penalties but argued the government failed to act urgently on the fuel crisis, leaving families and businesses struggling. Kennedy suggested the government should consider adjusting fuel excise or road-user charging to provide immediate relief to truck drivers. Kennedy warned that without adequate help, transport breakdowns could lead to supermarket shortages and inflation spikes.

Holzberger urged the opposition to support the legislation, arguing it provided certainty for truckies and powers to prosecute profiteering. Holzberger criticised opposition members for prioritising social media content over serious parliamentary debate and acting in narrow political interests rather than the national interest. Holzberger appealed for unity during the crisis, drawing parallels to Labor's cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Webster accused the government of panic-legislating after being caught flat-footed by the fuel crisis, which she attributed to poor decision-making. Webster highlighted the impact on regional farmers and health services, arguing that rising costs would lead to reduced food consumption and higher health prices. Webster rejected claims that panic-buying caused the issue, placing responsibility squarely on the Albanese government.

Templeman commended the bills for protecting consumers from price gouging and helping the trucking industry manage war-related impacts. Templeman detailed government actions, including doubling penalties to $100 million, releasing fuel reserves, and adjusting diesel standards to increase supply. Templeman urged the opposition to support these practical solutions rather than engaging in rhetoric about the speed of the response.

Batt supported the doubling of ACCC penalties but argued this would not address supply issues or help independent retailers. Batt criticised the rushed introduction of the Fair Work amendment, stating it lacked proper scrutiny and failed to consider options like reducing fuel excise. Batt highlighted the severe impact on regional communities, noting falling consumer confidence and the inability of many to afford travel or daily necessities.

Ryan supported both bills, emphasising the Fair Work amendment's ability to expedite contractual chain orders for truckies facing fuel price spikes. Ryan listed government actions, including convening National Cabinet and adjusting fuel standards, to demonstrate a comprehensive response. Ryan criticised the opposition for politicising the crisis and urged them to support the legislation to help Australians.

Watson-Brown moved an amendment noting that price gouging is not banned for fuel corporations and that the bill only increased penalties for existing offences. Watson-Brown argued the government was misleading the public and called for an extension of the supermarket price gouging ban to the whole economy. Watson-Brown withdrew the amendment after stating her position that the bill did not stop price gouging.

Burnell argued the bills ensured fairness for transport workers who keep the supply chain moving, protecting them from corporate misconduct. Burnell highlighted the doubling of penalties to $100 million as a clear deterrent against price manipulation. Burnell criticised the opposition for politicising the crisis and called for collective leadership to support truckies and consumers.

Rebello supported the ACCC penalty bill but criticised the government for bundling it with the Fair Work amendment, which was received late. Rebello highlighted the compounding cost-of-living crisis and the impact on small businesses, such as crane operators facing rising fuel costs. Rebello argued the government was arrogant and out of touch, failing to provide meaningful solutions like fuel excise adjustments.

Swanson defended the government's record on fuel security, arguing they had better reserves than the previous government. Swanson supported the Fair Work amendment as a time-sensitive reform to allow the Fair Work Commission to act quickly during national economic stress. Swanson detailed various government actions, including releasing fuel reserves and working with international partners, to mitigate the crisis.

Joyce argued the government was panicking and not across the situation, citing examples of funeral directors and farmers unable to access fuel. Joyce called for immediate rationing of diesel to ensure essential services and food production were prioritised. Joyce criticised the government's focus on green energy solutions and warned of potential supply line disruptions from geopolitical tensions.

Jordan-Baird supported the bills, highlighting the importance of protecting truckies and consumers from price gouging. Jordan-Baird noted the Fair Work amendment would grant emergency powers to address rising fuel costs, supported by transport organisations. Jordan-Baird criticised the opposition for playing politics and failing to support cost-of-living measures.

Small moved an amendment to the Watson-Brown amendment, noting the government's rush to prevent debate on the Fair Work amendment. Small called on the government to explain why temporary crisis provisions were being made permanent. The amendment focused on the lack of scrutiny and the opportunistic nature of the legislation's introduction.

Venning described the situation as a genuine national energy crisis, with high fuel prices devastating regional communities and small businesses. Venning criticised the government for mixed messaging and failing to act decisively, noting the flip-flop from denying a problem to declaring a crisis. Venning called for real solutions to get fuel flowing and prices under control, rather than political spin.

Mitchell argued the government had addressed fuel stock shortages and was working to keep truckies on the road. Mitchell attributed distribution problems to fuel hoarding and criticised the opposition for blocking the legislation. Mitchell accused the coalition of hypocrisy for claiming urgency while seeking to delay the bills in the Senate.