Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026; Third Reading

Summary

This legislation amends the Competition and Consumer Act to give the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) expanded powers to respond quickly during emergencies or exceptional circumstances—such as natural disasters, pandemics, or supply chain crises. The changes allow the ACCC to temporarily modify or suspend certain competition rules when normal market conditions have broken down, so businesses can coordinate their response without facing legal penalties for what would normally be illegal anti-competitive conduct. This matters because it creates a legal pathway for companies to work together during crises (for example, to share resources or coordinate price controls) while still protecting consumers from unfair treatment, and it ensures Australia's competition regulator isn't hamstrung when the usual rules need to bend to save lives or prevent broader economic harm.

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