Aviation Consumer Protection

“This bill is not pretending every flight will run on time. It is not pretending every disruption can be avoided, and it is not pretending aviation can be simplified by legislation alone, but it does something important. It puts consumers back at the centre, it says trust has to be earned, it says accountability cannot be voluntary, it says passengers deserve better than confusion, delay and silence. This is practical Labor reform. It takes a system that was too unclear, too weak and too frustrating, and starts to build something stronger in its place—a system where standards are clear, complaints are heard fairly, industry is accountable and people are treated with dignity when plans fall apart. That is the kind of reform Australia expects from this parliament, and it is the kind of reform the Albanese Labor government is delivering. I am proud to support this bill, I am proud to support stronger protections for Australian travellers, and I commend this bill to the House.”

Australian Labor Party • MP • 25 June 2026

“I rise in support of the Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026 and the other bills itemised. These bills together represent the most significant reform to aviation consumer rights here in this country in more than a decade. For too long, Australian travellers have felt powerless when flights are being delayed, cancelled or disrupted. For too long, people have been left stranded at airports, unable to get clear information, unable to access assistance and unable to resolve complaints in a fair and timely way. For too long, this system has effectively relied on airlines policing themselves. But Australians deserve better, and the Albanese Labor government is delivering a modern aviation system that puts passengers back in the centre of this conversation—a system that is fairer, a system that is much more transparent and a system that improves accountability across the aviation industry and, more importantly, a system that recognises that air travel is not a luxury for many Australians. It's an essential part of everyday life.”

Australian Labor Party • MP • 25 June 2026

“This Bill will improve outcomes for consumers and ensure the aviation sector is accountable for the services they offer and is focussed on aviation consumers.”

Australian Labor Party • Senator • 30 June 2026

“I rise to speak in support of the Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026 and the related bills. At its heart, this package is about a simple standard. Australians who pay for air travel should be treated fairly, told clearly what is happening and given a proper pathway when things go wrong. That should not be controversial. In a country like Australia, aviation is not just another service; it is part of how our nation functions.”

Australian Labor Party • MP • 25 June 2026

“I look forward to going back to my community and telling them that the next time they travel after saving for that well-earned holiday or to care for a sick parent a disruption or a cancellation will mean compensation, not frustration. That's one less thing they'll need to worry about when weighing up their budget. This legislation will mean fewer Marias sitting at an airport gate frustrated, fewer families absorbing costs that should have been the airline's and fewer residents feeling like their concerns about aircraft noise have vanished into a bureaucratic void. It will mean Australia finally has an aviation consumer protection framework that reflects our modern, fair-minded country—one that stands with every passenger and brings real accountability to a crucial industry. I'm proud to be part of a government delivering it, because my community relies on the success of our aviation industry, and that industry relies on my community and on the many others who pass through it every day. I commend the bills to the House.”

Australian Labor Party • MP • 25 June 2026

“Recently we saw exactly how badly this can go. The conflict in the Middle East has caused major disruptions to flights and to fuel and real uncertainty for Australian travellers. We've seen passengers unsure of what to do next and unsure of what they are even entitled to do when a flight is cancelled. Our airlines have done a great deal of difficult work to get Aussies home safely during that conflict, and that work is appreciated. But this moment has outlined something important: Australians who rely on aviation deserve clear protections and a clear understanding of their rights, especially when the unexpected happens. That is what this bill delivers. It is the most significant reform to aviation consumer protection this country has seen, and it flows directly from our aviation white paper—our plan to protect passengers while keeping our aviation sector competitive and while keeping our proud safety record intact.”

Australian Labor Party • MP • 25 June 2026