Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026

The Competition and Consumer Amendment(Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026 was introduced into the Senate on 13 May 2026 and passed on 14 May 2026. It introduces a new authorisation power designed to allow for faster exemptions to competition laws in order to respond to exceptional circumstances.

A significant number of second reading speeches highlighted concern about the speed and lack of scrutiny with which the bill was put forward; nevertheless it passed with only minor amendment.

For details see my legislation page: Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026

See also the Bill home page on the Parliamentary website.