Higher Maximum Penalties for Competition and Consumer Law Breaches
Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026
House of Representatives
Senate
Assent
Introduced by: The Hon Dr Jim Chalmers 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:
Dr Jim Chalmers ALP
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Today, we introduce the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026. This bill amends the Competition and Consumer Act 2010to double maximum penalties for misconduct under competition law and the Australian Consumer Law from $50 million to $100 million.”
Jo Briskey ALP
“What we have just heard from those opposite is not a genuine attempt to help struggling Australians. It is a blatant political tactic dressed up as concern. The coalition comes into this place claiming to stand for households under pressure and to speak for families doing it tough, but, when it has mattered, where have they been over the last three years?”
Dan Tehan LIB
“Well, we’ve seen this morning what this government is all about when it comes to dealing with the national fuel crisis. It is all about politics; it’s not about real solutions for the Australian people. We put forward a motion this morning about bringing forward the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026.”
Ali France ALP
“I rise to speak on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026. Global conflict is disrupting fuel supply chains, and this government is acting.”
Kate Chaney IND
“We are debating these two bills, the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 and the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026, together right now because of some ridiculous point-scoring shenanigans. This is at a time when Australians would like to see their politicians acting like adults and focusing on where we can actually make a difference.”
Zali Steggall IND
“Well, I have to start by just calling out how ridiculous the situation that we find ourselves in this morning is.”
Shayne Neumann ALP
“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.”