Question Time AU

Bill Debate · In Committee

Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026; In Committee

Senate · Thursday 26 March 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

Senator Nick McKim moved an amendment to insert a specific prohibition on price gouging into the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, arguing that the government's bill failed to address excessive fuel prices. Senator Katy Gallagher defended the bill, stating that doubling penalties for existing breaches was a transparent response to market issues. McKim contended that the government had misled the Senate by claiming the bill addressed price gouging when existing laws did not outlaw it outside the supermarket sector. Gallagher maintained that the government acted on ACCC advice regarding market dominance in supermarkets and supported ongoing ACCC investigations into fuel pricing. The amendment was not passed, and the debate concluded with Gallagher asserting the bill's transparency.

Outcome

The amendment moved by Senator McKim was not agreed to.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Nick McKim (TAS) (Australian Greens) Greens

McKim moved an amendment to add a schedule prohibiting price gouging by corporations with substantial market power, defining excessive prices relative to competitive benchmarks. McKim argued that current Australian law did not outlaw price gouging generally, except for specific supermarket provisions introduced previously. McKim claimed the government misled the public by asserting the bill addressed fuel price gouging when it only increased penalties for other conduct. McKim urged the government to introduce legislation explicitly banning price gouging in the fuel sector to address household budget pressures.

Government response

Katy Gallagher (Minister for Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water) ALP ACT

Gallagher stated that the bill doubled penalties for breaches of consumer law, which she described as a transparent measure to tackle price gouging at its source. Gallagher argued that the legislation responded to economic effects, including fuel price increases linked to international conflict. Gallagher explained that previous supermarket-specific laws were based on ACCC findings of market dominance by two major players. Gallagher affirmed the government's support for ACCC advice and its ongoing work to investigate fuel pricing and distribution concerns.