Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026; Second Reading

Summary

This amendment strengthens Australia's consumer protection laws by creating three new rules to stop unfair business practices. It amends the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) to ban general unfair trading practices that manipulate consumers or distort their decision-making, requires businesses to show all charges upfront before checkout (stopping 'drip pricing'), and sets strict rules for subscription services including easy cancellation options. These changes address gaps in existing consumer protections where harmful online and offline business tactics weren't clearly illegal even though they hurt consumers, giving Australians better protection in the marketplace while making it fairer for honest businesses.

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