This bill became law on Apr 1st, 2026.
Work & employment
Lets the Minister trigger a faster process when national road transport is hit by serious events, such as sudden fuel price rises.
Mandatory consultation and start-date timeframes left the Fair Work CommissionThe independent national workplace relations body that can make and change certain workplace and industry orders. unable to respond quickly to sharp fuel price rises or other national road transport disruptions. The bill lets the Minister authorise faster road transport orders, with shortened timeframes and content limited to the emergency.
Road transport minimum-standards orders were already available under the Fair Work system, but fixed consultation and start-date rules meant the Fair Work CommissionThe independent national workplace relations body that can make and change certain workplace and industry orders. could not move quickly when fuel costs suddenly hit contractors in long supply chains. After the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruption pushed Australian petrol and diesel prices up and left many service stations without fuel, the bill let the Minister authorise faster, emergency road transport orders focused on issues such as fuel levies, cost recovery and rate reviews triggered by diesel price rises.
The main criticism was that the bill was rushed through before MPs, businesses and the public could properly test its emergency powers, costs and safeguards. Coalition and some crossbench MPs raised process concerns, while retailers warned that forcing fuel-cost increases up the supply chain could flow through to higher consumer prices.
Hon Amanda Rishworth MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 01 Apr 2026
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
5 recorded amendment or procedural votes were found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.
Passage speed
6 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Lets the Minister trigger a faster process when national road transport is hit by serious events, such as sudden fuel price rises.
Allows the Fair Work CommissionThe independent national workplace relations body that can make and change certain workplace and industry orders. to shorten consultation and start dates for urgent road transport minimum standards orders.
Keeps fast orders focused on the emergency, such as who pays extra fuel costs, rather than wider industry issues.
Keeps normal consultation rules where no emergency decision is made, so the faster process only applies in exceptional cases.
These mandatory timeframes limit the Commission’s ability to respond promptly to disruptions such as sharp fuel price increases arising from overseas supply pressures, that have significant adverse impact on the road transport industry. The Bill would address this by establishing a Ministerial determination power that enables the Minister to authorise the Commission to reduce otherwise mandatory consultation and commencement timeframes where there are events or circumstances that create existing or imminent significant national negative impacts on the road transport industry, and where it would be in the public interest to do so.Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) explanatory memorandum
The Bill would provide for a Ministerial determination mechanism to allow the Commission to reduce mandatory minimum timeframes in relation to the making, varying and revoking of RTCCOs where events or circumstances create an existing or imminent, significant, national, and negative impact on the road transport industry and it is in the public interest to do so. The Commission would be similarly empowered to reduce mandatory timeframes in relation to deferral or suspension processes that arise in relation to a time-‑sensitive RTCCO being made. The content of time-sensitive RTCCOs would be more limited than what is permitted if the usual RTCCO processes are followed.Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) explanatory memorandum
A time-sensitive RTCCO would be required to include one or more terms relating to the event or circumstances, or series of events or circumstances, to which the order relates (subsection (1)). This ensures that time-sensitive RTCCOs are directed to addressing the specific event or circumstances that gave rise to the emergency application. For example, such terms may address matters relating to fuel supply / pricing challenges, such as which party bears the cost of a substantial rise in the fuel price.Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) explanatory memorandum
The current framework and protections would continue to apply where no ministerial determination is made. In this way, the Bill balances the need for thorough and genuine consultation on RTCCOs with the need for responsiveness in exceptional circumstances.Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) explanatory memorandum
Context
Road transport minimum-standards orders were already available under the Fair Work system, but fixed consultation and start-date rules meant the Fair Work CommissionThe independent national workplace relations body that can make and change certain workplace and industry orders. could not move quickly when fuel costs suddenly hit contractors in long supply chains. After the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruption pushed Australian petrol and diesel prices up and left many service stations without fuel, the bill let the Minister authorise faster, emergency road transport orders focused on issues such as fuel levies, cost recovery and rate reviews triggered by diesel price rises.
Unions warn of supply chain collapse
The Transport Workers’ Union initiated discussions with major retailers and industrial firms, cautioning that a global oil shock threatened to halt national road logistics.
Australian Financial Review ↗Fuel shortages hit New South Wales
Severe diesel and petrol shortages impacted hundreds of service stations across the state as the fuel crisis began to disrupt local supply networks.
Second reading speech ↗Government introduces emergency fuel legislation
New laws were proposed to let the Fair Work CommissionThe independent national workplace relations body that can make and change certain workplace and industry orders. shorten mandatory timeframes and issue urgent road transport orders during national disruptions.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Parliament passes the bill
The legislation rapidly moved through both houses of Parliament to establish a faster regulatory response for the road transport industry.
Parliamentary timeline ↗The bill receives Royal Assent
The Fairer Fuel Act became law, granting the Minister new powers to trigger expedited intervention when fuel prices or supply levels reach critical levels.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Fuel security concerns escalate into public crisis
Geopolitical instability and domestic supply pressures intensified the national debate over energy security and the rising cost of road freight.
Australian Financial Review ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that the bill was rushed through before MPs, businesses and the public could properly test its emergency powers, costs and safeguards. Coalition and some crossbench MPs raised process concerns, while retailers warned that forcing fuel-cost increases up the supply chain could flow through to higher consumer prices.
Criticism focused more on scrutiny, safeguards and price impacts than on rejecting help for truck drivers.
Rushed scrutiny of emergency powers
Critics said Parliament was being asked to pass a complex workplace bill introduced the same morning, without enough time for briefings, public scrutiny or examination of how the faster Fair Work CommissionThe independent national workplace relations body that can make and change certain workplace and industry orders. process would work.
Risk of higher prices for consumers
Major retailers warned that orders making large clients fund truck drivers’ higher fuel costs could push extra costs through the economy and raise prices for the public.
Unanswered questions about safeguards and impacts
Some MPs said the bill might have merit but argued the shortened process left unanswered questions about ministerial trigger powers, safeguards and the practical impact on businesses before the House voted.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Recorded amendment and procedural votes grouped by chamber. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.
House
Defeated 43 to 93. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, LNP, and Bradfield Independent. Opposition came from Labor, Clark Independent, Kooyong Independent, and Ryan Australian Greens.
The House rejected the statement, so the Greens' original statement proceeded to a vote.
Senate
Defeated 29 to 34. Support came from Liberal Party, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party, Nationals, CLP, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Greens. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
The Senate rejected the proposed post-passage committee review, with 29 ayes to 34 noes.
Defeated 4 to 40. Support came from Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party and UAP. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, Liberal Party, and minor parties and independents.
The Senate overwhelmingly rejected the amendment, with only 4 ayes against 40 noes.
Defeated 29 to 35. Support came from Liberal Party, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party, Nationals, and CLP. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
The Senate rejected the full Opposition package of safeguards and limitations on the emergency powers, 29 ayes to 35 noes.
Defeated 17 to 30. Support came from Greens, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party, UAP, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, and minor parties and independents.
The Senate rejected the Greens' worker-protection safeguard, 17 ayes to 30 noes.
These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Rishworth says the government wants this bill passed because it will let the Fair Work CommissionThe independent national workplace relations body that can make and change certain workplace and industry orders. act faster when fuel price shocks hit the road transport industry, helping truck drivers and small operators stay viable.
Read in Hansard ↗Collins opposes the bill, arguing it is a rushed and permanent expansion of ministerial industrial relations powers that will not fix the fuel crisis or bring down fuel costs.
Read in Hansard ↗Roberts says One Nation will support the bill because it may help the trucking industry respond faster to the fuel crisis, but he argues it is a weak and badly designed fix that gives the minister broad unchecked powers and does not address the real problem of high fuel prices.
Read in Hansard ↗Zali Steggall supports the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill because she accepts there is an urgent need to act to protect the road transport industry during the fuel price spike, while criticising the major parties for rushing the legislation without proper scrutiny.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
24 speakers · 23 support · 1 unclear
“This bill is to make sure the urgency that's required of the fuel challenges that we have now because of the Middle East crisis is dealt with in a faster, more efficient way. But they're just against it because of ideology. They don't like the fact that some of the biggest, most powerful companies in this country, along with owner-drivers and employees and transport companies, can all come together and work out a solution and that, if they can't get a solution, then the arbitrator by hearing the evidence can make a decision to make sure that nobody's left behind. Those good companies—and there's a number of them out there—that are doing the right thing and that are making sure their transport operators don't go bankrupt are competing with the mongrels they're protecting. If they don't pass this legislation and if they don't pass this bill, then they are turning around and going to the most base and crass operators that are turning around and profiteering from the challenges that we have because of the Middle East crisis. They're going to stand with them rather than stand with those businesses, those owner-drivers and those employees who are doing the right thing.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“But to listen to some of the diatribe that this is a union folly—this is what I heard earlier on, through you, Deputy President Brockman—and asking why small business should have to pay the way—well, what about us truckies who are small business? I say this with the greatest of respect, to my colleagues across the chamber: when you talk small business, do you know how insulting it is to us owner-drivers in the trucking industry, in small business, to hear that we don't matter but the corner shop matters or the shoe shop matters or the farmer matters, to hear, 'You truckies are not the same as small business, so why should we have to pay your fuel costs?' I have to get that off my chest because I've got a burning fire in here, and it's been here for 50-odd years. I will defend the trucking industry to my very last breath. Enough of the talk. Get this bill through. We're not the bank of Australia. Sorry, ladies and gentlemen, but someone has got to pay for our fuel costs.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise today to support the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026. I do so proudly as part of a Labor government that believes in one simple idea: if you work hard, you deserve a fair go. That belief has guided this government from day 1. It's why we've lifted wages, strengthened workplace protections and stood up for the people who too often get squeezed at the bottom of the system. That's why we're acting again today—because Australian truck drivers deserve nothing less.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill ensures that our workplace relations framework can respond when it needs to, quickly, responsibly and in the public interest, and I urge you to join the government in supporting this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I urge you to join the Government in supporting this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Without trucks, Australia stops. Labor is acting now to ensure we can keep Australia moving. This bill, the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, gives the Fair Work Commission the power to act quickly in those moments of crisis. At its core, this bill is about something very simple—fairness. It is about fairness for the men and women who keep this country moving, fairness for truck drivers hauling goods across thousands of kilometres, fairness for people who connect farmers with our food markets, fairness for people who keep our supermarket shelves stocked and fairness for small transport operators who are being squeezed out by global forces completely beyond their control.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I'm pleased to speak in support of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for the ACCC Enforcement) Bill and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026. In a list of issues which the Liberal and National parties really hate, I think No. 1 would be unions, No. 2 would be Medicare and No. 3 would be the transport industry. They really can't stand the transport industry. They've never supported good legislation in the transport industry.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“With the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, we are also making sure that hardworking truckies and smaller road transport businesses are not pushed to the brink by severe cost shocks. We know that truck drivers and businesses are a critical part of Australia's daily economy. They are the people ensuring that food and goods are delivered where they're needed, and this government has got their backs. We know that truckies and transport operators need to be protected from fuel price rises, and it is important that costs are shared fairly through the supply chain. This is making sure that the independent Fair Work Commission can act quickly to deal with these issues, as I said, recognising that this is a critical part of Australia's daily economy. The truck drivers, these businesses, are ensuring food and goods are delivered to where they're needed, and, as they're doing it, this government is with them. We have their backs.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Recent global events have added pressure to fuel markets. Australia cannot control global volatility, but we can control how strongly we protect consumers at home. These bills strengthen accountability, reinforce deterrence and ensure that the consequences for wrongdoing reflect the harm caused to real people and real businesses. This should be a shared priority across the parliament. I note the member for Wright has said we should be wary of the rush. My community can't wait for reliability of fuel price. Those opposite need to get on board and support a real measure that will make a tangible difference in the lives of Australians who are paying for fuel.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Albanese government has introduced this legislation—to up penalties at the petrol pump, as well as making it better, easier and fairer for our trucking industry—for a very clear reason: to help consumers get a fair go and to support our trucking industry. The conflict overseas should never be used as an excuse to profit from Australians. That is why we are putting petrol companies on notice. We will not let big corporations treat Australian consumers like mugs. We are calling on the opposition to support this bill because this is about holding companies to account when they do the wrong thing.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise today in strong support of the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, which will again be a piece of legislation that we have worked quickly and adroitly to get through this place to help with the circumstances and a world in flux as we see it at the moment. This is a practical, targeted and time-sensitive reform designed to respond to extraordinary global circumstances that are placing significant pressure on Australia's road transport industry. And I want to give shout-out to the truckies of Australia today. You are turning up, delivering and doing your darndest for our nation, and we thank you for it.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Our government is delivering for Australians. We have Australians' backs during times of crises, and we have the backs of truckies and all Australians at the bowser. On that note, I commend this bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“It's about having more flexibility, and that's exactly what's needed here—flexibility by a government that's saying, 'What are the things we can quickly put in place to support our industries adapt and be flexible to the conditions they're facing?' I commend the bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This legislation is exactly designed for the moment. These two bills are designed to do two things. As the member for Cook indicated earlier—and Deputy Speaker Buchholz yourself, who was heavily involved in trucking, like my neighbour. I know firsthand, from working in construction and running a construction business, how important those fuel costs are and how important it is that we get those deliveries on time. So these pieces of legislation deal with that. They give certainty to truckies that they're going to be able to negotiate a fair deal that's going to be able to keep their trucks moving and get those materials delivered to site or the goods delivered to supermarkets. The other thing it does as well is it gives powers to the government and the ACCC to actually properly prosecute companies that are profiteering out of this. We know—as if the member for Cook was telling us something we don't know!—what is going on out there, but the difference between us and the opposition is that we're acting on it, and they're point scoring. We're out there taking effective measures; they're out there collecting data and asking for people's emails. We're out there acting in the national interest, and they're out there acting in what they think is their very narrow political interest.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“What we are dealing with right now is global in nature and scale but is being felt domestically right here at home. The war in the Middle East is seriously impacting supply chains and pushing up the cost of fuel around the world. Australia is not immune to that volatility, and we know that higher fuel prices are putting real pressure on households, small businesses, farmers and transport workers across the country. We recognise that, and that is exactly why the Albanese Labor government is taking decisive, coordinated action.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Albanese government is helping Australia's trucking industry manage the impacts of the war in the Middle East by ensuring that truckies and transport operators are better protected from fuel price rises. This is incredibly important, and this legislation goes to the heart of that. It sees the government again stepping up to help create fairness through the supply chain and manage the impacts of the global fuel challenges. In short, it means that, rather than wait six months to be allowed to respond to things, the minister will be able to give people permission to do that quickly and easily and be more responsive. So it's a very important piece of legislation, and I'm pleased that we're bringing it in today for discussion and to pass.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We're calling on the Liberals and Nationals to vote for this bill that will legislate higher penalties for petrol companies that do the wrong thing by transport operators and by all Australians. This is on top of all the other action we're taking to address fuel affordability and security. We have introduced new laws to double penalties for petrol companies that are price gouging, which this bill has been discussing as well. We've begun the release of 20 per cent of Australia's fuel reserves. We've changed petrol standards temporarily to get more fuel flowing and changed diesel standards so Australia's refineries can supply more diesel. We've tasked the ACCC to ramp up fuel price monitoring and issue on-the-spot fines. We've engaged with international partners to keep supply flowing. We've convened the National Cabinet with states and territories. We've appointed a national fuel supply taskforce coordinator. We've engaged with the states and territories on supply and distribution, including holding a special energy ministers meeting; activating the National Coordination Mechanism, which has already met twice; and convening the National Oil Supplies Emergency Committee six times. We're also unlocking $2 million in financial counselling funding for impacted farmers and changing the law in order to make it easier for Australia's refineries to access government funding when they run at a loss.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I want to say to those opposite: when times are tough, when crises are on our shores, there is a time for real leadership in this place. That's why we've been elected. We need to stand up as one collective force in this place at this time for our country and ensure that our truckies are treated with respect and dignity and that our system is not taken advantage of. It is reprehensible that those opposite continue to politicise this crisis. It is time for the Leader of the Opposition to stand up and show some leadership on this very issue and stop politicising it. We need to act as one. We need to act in the best interests of every single Australian. It is time to support these bills.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We're in a good position to deal with this international crisis, and I dread to think where we would be right now if those opposite were in charge. Your record on fuel security is absolutely appalling. You had fuel reserves in Texas, in the United States, not Australia—fuel reserves overseas. Could you imagine trying to get them here in this crisis? You also shut down four of six fuel refineries, making storage so much more difficult. I call on those opposite to support this bill. If you genuinely believe in a fair go, if you genuinely stand with Australian consumers and Australian truckers, then you will support these bills. We are taking real action. Unlike those opposite, who are just playing games, we're actually delivering.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill strengthens the system's ability to respond when conditions change. That is the purpose of what we're doing today. This is, of course, part of a broad suite of work our government is undertaking to keep fuel flowing where it is needed; we're introducing new laws to help fuel suppliers bring fuel into Australia from overseas while also keeping more Australian-made fuel here at home, and we're working with the states to get fuel where it is needed most. We are committed to doing this work that is needed to give Australians confidence that, in the midst of this global crisis, they can get the fuel they need, and that's ultimately what this bill is about today—giving the trucking industry the confidence it needs to keep goods moving. I am very pleased to support this bill today.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“While those opposite play political games, stunts, by calling on this legislation to be urgently passed—'very urgent' we heard from the last speaker—those in the other place on their side are referring it to a committee. Then, when we put it to a vote here, they voted against it anyway. Those opposite are playing very badly strategically planned stunts while this government has the backs of all Australians, and I'd call on those opposite to stop the stunts and stop the games. This is urgent. We need to get it through. You need to vote for it. You need to tell those in the other place that they need to vote for it as well. This is an urgent thing, and we really need all of us. We're elected to look after Australians. We all need to do what is right for our constituents and get this legislation through.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“These new maximums will apply from the day after royal assent of this bill, providing the urgency that our environment demands. This bill sends a clear message from this government that we are on the side of the consumer, we are on the side of the families in Bullwinkel and we will not hesitate to hold the biggest players in our economy to account. I commend this bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“There are two key pieces of legislation that we are talking about today. The first bill, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026, is about doubling penalties. No-one should be taking advantage, on a commercial basis, of people who are struggling to put fuel in their cars. The first bill gives effect to what the Treasurer and the assistant minister announced on 11 March—to double the ACCC's enforcement penalties, including for false and misleading conduct and for cartel behaviour, to a maximum of $100 million per offence. The second bill, the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, gives truckies a fair go and makes sure that our truck drivers aren't disadvantaged by a significant issue in our community. Our road transport industry is vital to keeping our nation moving and to keeping our economy running—and that's what the second bill does. Without trucks and without their drivers, the movement of essential supplies across Australia stops—and we can't have that. We need to look after our drivers. We need to give them a fair go.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The fact of the matter is that we have more supplies than we've ever had before. It's available; the distribution is the problem. They know it's the problem. It's because people are hoarding fuel, and more and more fuel needs to go out. That's where the blockage is. But what do they do? Rather than them stand up and do anything in any way, shape or form to support Australians, support workers and support the nation, they want to come in here and say, 'We need to do this desperately. It's so important,' and 'it's so important, we're going to block it. We want to put it to a Senate committee and lock it away for ages.'”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
20 speakers · 5 support · 7 oppose · 2 mixed · 6 unclear
“The opposition's amendments go some way to allowing this bill to pass while ensuring we provide ourselves with opportunities to review those measures later. We are conscious of the fact that there is broad support for some of the actions in this bill, and we will make sure this bill passes to ensure that those in the trucking industry do not suffer under positions of this government. However, there is more that needs to be done, more that can be done and more that should be done. I now move our second reading amendment that has just been circulated in my name:”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Now, if you could tell me that this legislation, if passed today by us and given assent this week, would immediately bring down prices, would immediately improve supply, would immediately improve the cost of living for Australia and would immediately provide security to manufacturers and transport, then I would be prepared to look past some of these concerns, but not even the most fervent supporters of this bill can pretend it does any of these things. The most they can say is it will have an impact on the margins in alleviating some of the pain associated with this crisis. As I said, that is not an unworthy goal, but the mechanisms we're being asked to support are disproportionate to the benefits that this legislation is intended to achieve. For those reasons, we will be moving amendments—I expect the coalition will be moving amendments—to this bill and we will continue to scrutinise this government's response to an ongoing energy crisis.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We support the passage of this bill today. We understand what we're dealing with in this country right now. We understand the emergency and the crisis, and that's why we'll be supporting it. We do want to see a retrospective inquiry into the bill, though. That will not in any way stand in the way of this bill having effect as soon as it's given royal assent. Senator Sheldon said that we are proposing to delay the implementation of the bill until 29 May. That is incorrect. What we're calling for enables the bill to pass but requires a retrospective inquiry. We are rushing this bill through. It was only just introduced into the parliament, and we're rushing it through. Given the circumstances, that is appropriate, but we think that it should be examined. This is the house of review, by the way. The government has a tendency to just rush stuff through, and it's inappropriate. There are times when it's appropriate, and, as I said, dealing with this matter right now might be one of those times. But, when you take measures to rush stuff through, you need to open yourself up to transparency and scrutiny and allow the bill to be properly examined by way of an inquiry. That way, when we come back in May or June—whenever we're back here—if there are some unintended consequences from this bill passing without proper scrutiny, we will be able to make the necessary amendments to ensure that it achieves its intended objectives. Senator Sheldon is a good friend of mine, and I don't like criticising friends, but faithful are the wounds of a friend; they're better than the kiss of an enemy. So I will say, Senator Sheldon: you are wrong in this instance. We don't want to stand in the way of the passage of this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Transport is an essential service. Every Australian depends on it for food, water, housing, energy and medical supplies. Without a transport industry, those sectors fail. Everything we know fails. We won't be frustrating this legislation, but we will be moving sensible amendments to ensure that this legislation works for industry in the long term.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The government says this bill is needed because of an urgent fuel crisis, but if that is true then there is still time to follow the normal parliamentary process. There is time for proper debate, proper scrutiny and proper accountability. There would be measures beyond deals with unions and beyond permanent IR changes. Will this bill increase stockpiles? Will it move supply to where it's needed most? Will it provide relief? The answer to all of that is no. It's just an industrial power handed to the minister permanently. As they say, Labor does not let crises go to waste. The PM has no real plan but is making policy on the run and is using this crisis to strengthen IR powers.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“On Friday, when I left this place, my diesel vehicle fill-up cost me $3 per litre. That's in the city. Today, in just two days, it is a new price of $3.25 a litre. A tank cost me $18 more 48 hours later, and there is not much from this government that tells me where this ends. It is real fear that this government has not understood. There's no plan, no urgency and no understanding, and this government has shown no leadership. That's why Australians are fearful. The coalition will not stop pushing until this Prime Minister acts with the urgency this national emergency demands. This bill Labor has come up with does not bring relief at the bowser or for the bills that need to be paid now. The bill itself didn't amend the fuel excise, and it does not alter the heavy user charge. It provides no immediate relief.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“So, this morning, we called on the government to bring that legislation forward. But just before that, at 9.15 this morning—less than two hours ago—another bill was introduced to this place: the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill. It was introduced with seven minutes of speech describing it—seven minutes of the government describing that bill. That's all we got. We had no opportunity to debate it. This hasn't been through any level of scrutiny whatsoever. That's the usual process, by the way: you introduce a bill, and then we go through debate later on. But what did Labor try to do when we asked them to bring forward this bill that they've been boasting about—beating their chests about how strong they were going to be—to crack down on these people who are taking advantage of Australians? What did they do? They used the most disgusting, cunning political techniques to try and ram through a bill that has nothing to do with this. It might be a good bill. There might be things in it that we like. We might agree to it. But we would like the opportunity to debate that bill—for it to go through the proper process.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Yes, we support doubling these penalties, but the ACCC takes time. They have to investigate cases. They have to create litigation. Australians need relief now. They need relief urgently. They are doing the maths right now on how they will get through Easter. I personally spoke to two trucking companies this week who are worried about going insolvent, and, when they go insolvent—they have customers who they deliver to. They go to Bunnings. They go to Woolies. They go to Coles. It's not just a bush issue. Right now, it may be. People in the cities might say, 'The worst thing that's happening to me is paying 200 bucks for a tank,' and that's pretty bad. But it could soon get much worse. When you start having road transport break down, you get shortages on supermarket shelves, you get unemployment spiking and you get inflation going through the roof.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We're very happy to see that this legislation, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026, is being debated, though we're very disappointed that the government has gone through a shambled process, to introduce the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 this morning. They have tried to force it through the parliament before anyone in the entire country has read it. The Leader of the House understands full well the scale of the legislation he is trying to introduce, and he is now trying to ram it through the parliament on the basis that he has no interest in the opposition or anyone outside this parliament scrutinising it. It's a very dangerous precedent.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As the Manager of Opposition Business was doing that, the Leader of the House saw an opportunity to play politics with a national crisis. He added a little part, an amendment, that said he wanted to ram through the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, which was introduced this morning and which we haven't had the ability to go through—and which the Australian public hasn't been able to look at, scrutinise and then give their feedback on. So we are reserving our right, as the shadow ministers right now are rushing through this bill as quickly as they can. But it's just politics after politics with this government.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“You have the Leader of the House come in here and say: 'Aren't I clever! I'll attach this bill I've introduced today to yours, and we won't let anyone be able to scrutinise it. That's clever, politically, isn't it! Ha-ha! Aren't I great!' Well, I say this to the government: that's not what the Australian people want to see at this time. There's a simple bill which will make a difference. Let's pass that, then let's look at the other bill. Let's have briefings. Let's look at that one properly. This game playing is treating the Australian people with contempt, and you should be ashamed.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I invite the parliament to engage with us, either on the floor of parliament or behind the scenes. I don't care where we have the conversation, but let's start having a conversation about what fuel excise looks like, because we heard member after member on the other side come into this parliament and say, 'We step in when people need help.' Well, that's not help. Doubling the penalties is not help. It won't change the price at all. We need to do something. I'm suggesting the fuel excise has got far more ramification, far more of a sense of instant relief at the bowser—instant relief for my growers.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As the coalition, we will definitely scrutinise this legislation, especially in the Senate. But the way it has been put through today is characteristic of this government. We're approaching Easter, a time that is very special to Australians. But what are we going to actually see? We're going to see an increase in holiday cancellations. We're seeing families who have probably been looking forward to travel after working very hard but being unable to travel and take time with their families. We need a government who is not only prepared to act but prepared to act in a way such that we can work with them. We've been very constructive in the sense that we've said, in relation to the first part of this legislation, that we're happy to provide some support. But the way it's been rushed is, again, characteristic of a government that is arrogant and out of touch.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The coalition today offers a broader warning. There is a genuine risk for an absolute economic earthquake if this is not addressed urgently, yet we see a complete failure to act. This government has introduced legislation but has not progressed it. They have failed entirely to act on essential price-gouging protections. This crisis is now visible in both our regional and urban areas. The core message from the coalition today is simple: this emergency is undeniably urgent and it is incredibly real. It is hitting vulnerable Australians exceptionally hard and immediate action is needed. Labor must finally prioritise our struggling families and our hardworking farmers. Right now, everyday Australians are unfairly paying the ultimate price for constant government delay and stubborn denial. We cannot afford to waste any more time engaging in empty political spin while regional towns suffer through these wildly inflated prices. This parliament should be completely focused on getting fuel flowing and getting prices firmly under control right now. We need real solutions to ensure no community is left behind.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“What we're witnessing here is a fundamental failure of logic and leadership from this government. They've dumped an amendment to the legislation on the desk and demanded that we blindly support two bills. This is a government that expects this House to rubberstamp their agenda without even a single second of proper scrutiny. It is an insult to the Australian people.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The amount of trouble that people in the regions have trying to get health services now—many of them are having to drive to get to those health services. I had a woman write to me this week who said that she cancelled her health appointment because she couldn't get fuel to put in her car to get to see her doctor. Great! Just fantastic—all under the Labor government. The Labor government need to stop blaming Australians, and they need to take responsibility. What we have now is a panicked government who is making last-minute decisions to throw in legislation, of course, in an omnibus fashion—always. 'Let's throw this in, and let's throw that in.' And, if we, the opposition, don't approve it, then it's all on us. You know what? The previous speaker just blamed the coalition for the mess that Australia is in. No, we will not accept that. This is absolutely Prime Minister Albanese's problem to fix.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As for the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, we on this side of the House are weighing up what that means. It was brought in here at 9.15 this morning, and I'm sure those on the other side are also still reading their talking points as they're speaking in here. It'd be nice and, more importantly, appropriate to have the opportunity to properly understand it and scrutinise it, but right now all we are seeing is a game of politics.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We had a media announcement 15 days ago, and that legislation only just turned up this week. It was the coalition who decided to be the adults in the room and say, 'Let's get this done today.' Because when I go home tonight, I really want to be able to say to my community, 'We did something in Canberra this week. We actually tried to help.' There have been some mentions of politicking on the other side. There are no politics in this. This is about the people of Australia. The minister at the table scoffs in a disgraceful fashion, showing an absolute complete disregard for the pain that people are feeling right across Australia. So I'm proud to have stood here today as a member of the coalition to get this done.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This issue is not just about price; it's about supply. We're seeing reports of fuel stations running dry. Access is being restricted. Regional urban communities like mine are being hit the hardest. On the Sunshine Coast, as I said, fishermen are telling me that they are struggling. They are having to put people off. This is not theoretical; this is happening now. This parliament needs to focus on getting fuel flowing and getting prices under control, and these bills— (Time expired)”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“"not declining to give the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 a second reading, the House:”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 2 support
“Australians have been crystal clear: they want to tax gas exports and they want to tax them now. The Greens support this bill because it provides urgently needed relief for those at the bottom of the fuel supply chain. It recognises that fuel price shocks cannot simply be absorbed by those who live and work at the bottom of that supply chain, and it takes steps to move towards more fairness in the way costs are distributed. But let's not pretend this is the end of the story. This is a short-term fix to a long-term set of problems. Our economic stability is deeply entangled with global conflicts over fossil fuels, and this is a position of vulnerability. This crisis underscores the importance of pursuing an independent, peaceful foreign policy—one that prioritises de-escalation, diplomacy and stability. The crisis also shows us how important it is that we have long-term plans for sovereign control of key items, like our fuel supply, like our fertiliser supply.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Greens will be supporting the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 in the House and reserving our position in the Senate. We also intend to support the passage of the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 in the House and reserve our position in the Senate. Labor's actually lying to you that they're tackling price gouging. All this ACCC bill does is increase penalties on existing offences—offences which have never in their history been used to crack down on fuel.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
3 speakers · 2 support · 1 unclear
“One Nation will support this legislation. Given we have not had the time to prepare amendments to introduce checks and balances, One Nation will amend the bill when we take government. Our changes will require a declaration of emergency to be a legislative instrument setting out the reasons for the order and include a sunset clause, a trigger, so that, unlike what Labor is trying to do, measures do not extend past the end of the crisis.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“While we're happy to support these measures to provide relief, let's be clear about why we're having to deal with these urgent measures in the first place. It's because of long-term failure by this Labor government and Liberal governments. That's why this bill is so revealing—because the government is now turning to a workplace regulation, an emergency Fair Work process, because it failed to do the bigger job earlier. It failed to manage this pain after the fact because we did not build resilience before the fact. This goes beyond this crisis. Net zero more broadly is making Australia more expensive and less secure. It has fed into higher energy costs, it has undermined confidence in dependable supply, it has weakened the productive side of the economy, and it has made us more vulnerable to shocks. Australians are paying for that, truckies are paying for that, farmers are paying for that and families are paying for that at the checkout.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“You better start coming up with rationing. You better start coming up with alternative paths for fuel to come in here, because, if you can't work that out, we're going to have problems getting food to supermarkets.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 1 support · 1 unclear
“The other piece of legislation, the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill, proposes to enable the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to authorise a reduction of the minimum six-month consultation period required before the commission can make road transport contractual chain orders, in circumstances where there are imminent and significant negative impacts on the road transport industry nationally and where it's in the public interest to reduce this timeframe. In the context of what is currently occurring in our transport sector, with fuel prices spiking, I accept that there is a need for this to be acted upon urgently, but I ask the major parties: please behave better and allow us proper scrutiny of legislation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I don't have time to ask any of these questions. There may well be reasonable answers to these questions, and I would have been open to hearing those answers. But, because these are being rushed through the parliament in an exercise of point scoring and outsmarting using parliamentary procedure, none of these questions can actually be answered before I'm required to vote on behalf of the people of Curtin on these two pieces of legislation, and I think that's ridiculous.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
