Senate Division 20 · 31 Mar 2026

Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026 - Second Reading - Criticism of Government

Negatived 25 aye · 34 no

What this vote was about

The majority voted against parts (b) to (g) of an amendment introduced by Tasmanian Senator Claire Chandler (Liberal), which means they were not successful. Had it been successful, the amendment would have added the text below to the usual second reading motion, which is "that the bill be read a second time" (parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill).

Amendment text

At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate notes that: ...

(b) the Government initially denied there was a fuel supply problem in Australia and by delaying taking action to ensure distribution of fuel to where it was needed, exacerbated price pressures and supply shortages;

(c) the Government delayed acting on cost-of-living relief despite mounting pressure on Australian households, small businesses and transporters;

(d) the Government has failed to provide any budget offsets or outline how this measure will be funded, increasing the risk of additional inflationary pressure—where the only fuel guaranteed is for inflation, not for farmers or families;

(e) within 24 hours of the announcement, the Government's proposed GST arrangements have already fallen into disarray, raising further concerns about fiscal credibility and coordination;

(f) uncertainty remains regarding fuel supply security and the risk of heavy-handed market interventions; and

(g) Australians deserve timely leadership and responsible economic management during this national fuel crisis".

Context written by They Vote For You volunteers (ODbL), reproduced unchanged.

Second reading: The second reading vote decides whether the chamber agrees with the bill in principle. A second reading amendment attaches commentary or conditions to that agreement without changing the bill's text.

By party

Party	Aye	No
Australian Labor Party	0	24
Liberal–National Coalition	21	0
Australian Greens	0	9
Pauline Hanson's One Nation	3	0
United Australia Party	1	0
Independent	0	1

Every vote

AYE (25)

NO (34)

Divisions this sitting day

Every division the Senate held that day, in order; the one on this page is marked.

Division 1 National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025 - Second Reading - Criticism Negatived Senate 28–34
Division 2 National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025 - in Committee - Plan variation provision Carried Senate 30–11
Division 3 National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025 - in Committee - NDIS supports Negatived Senate 12–32
Division 4 National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025 - in Committee - People who have been convicted of criminal offences Negatived Senate 13–30
Division 5 Motions - Australian Defence Force - Put the question Carried Senate 23–10
Division 6 Motions - Australian Defence Force - Let another motion be moved Negatived Senate 10–23
Division 7 Regulations and Determinations - Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes — Cash Acceptance) Regulations 2025 - Disallow Negatived Senate 17–28
Division 8 Committees - Community Affairs References Committee; Reference - Gender dysphoria treatment Negatived Senate 19–41
Division 9 Committees — Procedure Committee; Reference Negatived Senate 5–44
Division 10 Documents — Housing Australia; Order for the Production of Documents Carried Senate 36–23
Division 11 Documents — Superannuation; Order for the Production of Documents Negatived Senate 26–34
Division 12 Documents - Housing Australia - Order for the production of documents Carried Senate 37–23
Division 13 Matters of Urgency - Taxation - 25% tax on gas exports Negatived Senate 10–26
Division 14 Copyright Amendment Bill 2026 - Second Reading - Educational institutions Negatived Senate 16–26
Division 15 Copyright Amendment Bill 2026 - Second Reading - Copyright Negatived Senate 16–26
Division 16 Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Strategic Reserve) Bill 2026 - Limitation of Debate - Repeal of restrictions relating to fossil fuels Negatived Senate 26–36
Division 17 Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Strategic Reserve) Bill 2026 - Limitation of Debate - Greens amendments Negatived Senate 11–36
Division 18 Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Strategic Reserve) Bill 2026 - Limitation of Debate - Independent review of operation of amendments Negatived Senate 27–32
Division 19 Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026 - Second Reading - Reduction in fuel excise and heavy vehicle road user charge Negatived Senate 22–36
Division 20 Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026 - Second Reading - Criticism of Government Negatived Senate 25–34
Division 21 Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026 - Second Reading - Renewables Negatived Senate 10–32