Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026; Second Reading

Summary

Petrol, diesel, and other fuel products will become cheaper at the pump through a temporary cut to the taxes the government charges on these fuels. The government is amending the Excise Tariff Act and the Customs Tariff Act to lower the excise duty (a tax added to fuel) and the equivalent customs duties that apply to imported fuel products. This temporary relief responds to recent sharp increases in fuel prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East, helping households and businesses pay less when they fill up their vehicles.

What happens at this stage

The main debate on whether the chamber supports the broad purpose of the bill. Members speak to its overall merits and concerns rather than the fine print. The government outlines its policy intentions; the opposition and crossbench put their case. This is the stage that determines whether the bill proceeds at all.

Next: Consideration in Detail (House) or Committee of the Whole (Senate), where the bill is examined clause by clause