Information Gathering Powers and Civil Penalties for Regulated Aviation Entities
Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026
House of Representatives
Senate
Assent
Introduced by: The Hon Catherine King MP (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
“I rise to speak on behalf of the opposition on the Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026 and related bills. At the outset, let me be clear. The coalition supports stronger protections for airline passengers. Australians deserve reliable air services, fair treatment when things go wrong and confidence that the aviation system is working in their interests.”
Sarah Witty ALP
“I rise today to speak in support of the Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026. Aviation matters in Australia in a way that is different to many other countries. We are a large island nation with vast distances between our cities, our regions and the rest of the world. For many Australians, flying is not a luxury.”
Helen Haines IND
“I rise today to speak on the four aviation bills being discussed in this cognate debate, and I’ll be offering some brief remarks. These bills create a new aviation consumer protection framework, delivering on commitments the government made in its 2024 aviation white paper.”
Ash Ambihaipahar ALP
“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.”
Dr RYAN
“I’ve previously, in this House, referred to Qantas and Virgin as ’the mafia of the skies’. For far too long we have seen the airline industry fail to respect and protect the consumer rights of passengers. This legislative package, the Aviation Consumer Protection Bill and its associated bills, does represent some progress.”
Ali France ALP
“I rise to speak on the Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026 and the related bills. Australia is a big country, and we are a long way from almost everywhere, including, very often, from each other. That makes aviation more than a convenience for Aussies. It is how we travel to see our family and friends.”
Sam Birrell NAT
“I’m talking about the Aviation Consumer Protection Bill. I will talk about the coalition’s proud record of aviation during the pandemic and the way it acted honestly and decently during that terrible time, which is in absolute contradiction to what we just saw, which was an act of betrayal—trying to ram through bills that you hadn’t taken to an election.”
Jo Briskey ALP
“The Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026, the Aviation Consumer Protection (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026, the Aviation Consumer Protection Levy Bill 2026 and the Aviation Consumer Protection Levy (Collection) Bill 2026, are quite personal to my community. Our connection with aviation is like very few others in this country.”
Tom French ALP
“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.”