Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026
Amends the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to: enable the minister to make an exemptional circumstance declaration; enable the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to authorise and exempt conduct from competition law that is in the public interest and assists in the response to those exceptional circumstances; and increase the maximum penalties for breaches of the Oil Code of Conduct. Also makes consequential amendments to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and National Emergency Declaration Act 2020 .
Summary from the official bill homepage.
Became law
| Act | Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Act 2026 |
|---|---|
| Number | No. 48, 2026 |
| Assent | 26 May 2026 |
| Status | In force |
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 21 Oct 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.
Progress
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| Senate | |
| 13 May 2026 | Introduced and read a first time |
| 13 May 2026 | Second reading moved |
| 13 May 2026 | Second reading debate |
| 14 May 2026 | Second reading debate |
| 14 May 2026 | Second reading agreed to |
| 14 May 2026 | Committee of the Whole debate |
| 14 May 2026 | Third reading agreed to |
| House | |
| 25 May 2026 | Introduced and read a first time |
| 25 May 2026 | Second reading moved |
| 25 May 2026 | Second reading debate |
| 25 May 2026 | Second reading agreed to |
| 25 May 2026 | Consideration in detail debate |
| 25 May 2026 | Third reading agreed to |
| 25 May 2026 | Finally passed both Houses |
| 26 May 2026 | Assent |
Divisions on this bill
- 25 May 2026 Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026 - Second Reading - Reference to Committee Negatived House 48–94
- 25 May 2026 Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026 - Consideration in Detail - No retrospective application + sunset clause Negatived House 45–97
- 14 May 2026 Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026 - Second Reading - Refer to Committee Negatived Senate 27–34
- 14 May 2026 Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026 - Limitation of Debate - Sunset + Retrospective application Negatived Senate 27–34
- 14 May 2026 Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026 - Limitation of Debate - Pass the bill Carried Senate 34–27
Official record: bill homepage at aph.gov.au, full text and documents on ParlInfo.