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

Summary

This legislation makes two separate changes to Australian law. First, it doubles the penalties that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) can impose when enforcing competition and consumer protection laws, making breaches significantly more costly for businesses that break these rules. Second, it amends fair work laws to address fuel costs, though the specific nature of this change is unclear from the available information. Together, these changes aim to strengthen enforcement against businesses that harm consumers through anti-competitive behaviour or unfair practices, while also providing some relief or protection related to fuel expenses in the employment context.

What happens at this stage

The final vote in this chamber on the bill as a whole, after all amendments have been considered. If it passes, the bill moves to the other chamber to go through the same process. If both chambers have already agreed to identical text, the bill proceeds directly to Royal Assent.

Next: The other chamber, which runs the same process from First Reading, or Royal Assent if both chambers have already agreed