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

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 was then sent to the House where it was introduced and debated on 25 May 2026.

Debate is continuing. Assuming it passes it will introduce 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.

The Parliamentary Library has also now introduced a Bills Digest summarising the Bill. View Bills Digest No 64.