WA Commissioner Must Track Fuel Prices; Up To $20k Fine for Misusing Inside Information About Fuel

Petroleum Products Pricing Amendment Bill 2026

20 Aug 2026: MPs in the first house are debating whether this bill is a good idea in principle.

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

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Topics

consumer protection energy supply fuel availability fuel prices information sharing market monitoring petroleum products privacy regulatory compliance

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

The Commissioner for Consumer Protection must monitor petroleum product prices, service rates and availability; they must report these movements to the Energy Minister.
Fuel suppliers and retail sellers may be required by regulations to give the Commissioner data on fuel availability; this includes storage capacity and expected supply.
The Commissioner can approve applications to change standard retail prices in certain circumstances.
Authorised persons must serve infringement notices within 21 days of deciding there is enough evidence; notices must be served within 6 months of the alleged offence.
Ministers and public service officers can receive information about petroleum product availability to perform their duties.
People who receive petroleum availability information cannot use it for other purposes; they cannot disclose it in a way that identifies specific people.
Fines of $20,000 apply for the illegal use or disclosure of petroleum availability information.

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Dr Tony Buti ALP

“I move: That the bill be now read a second time. The Petroleum Products Pricing Amendment Bill 2026 amends the Petroleum Products Pricing Act 1983 to improve the transparency of fuel availability in Western Australia and strengthen the government’s ability to respond to fuel supply issues.”

Official source →

News articles and press releases

WA to strengthen FuelWatch laws to track fuel shortages

Dr Tony Buti, WA Commerce Minister — 2026-08-25

Allowing the Commissioner to correct genuine pricing errors will help ensure motorists receive accurate pricing information through FuelWatch, while keeping the system fair and practical for retailers.