David Moncrieff (Hughes, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Fuel keeps my community moving. In suburbs like Menai, Hammondville, Woronora Heights, Macquarie Links, Bangor, Alfords Point and Bonnet Bay, there is no train station. In suburbs like that, the car is essential. Families rely on the supply of fuel from petrol stations to live their lives, to take the kids to soccer training, to pick up their groceries for dinner, to check in on their elderly parents. It's part of getting to work early in the morning and picking up the kids in the afternoon. It keeps small businesses moving and allows us to stay connected to services and our community, when they are often some distance away.

Fuel companies know this, and there are so many patriotic Australians in the fuel sector who take that responsibility seriously. But what the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 does is ensure that the bad actors who are seeking to make a quick buck off the volatility that international conflict has brought to 2026 are held accountable for their responsibilities. When petrol prices move, households feel it immediately. When prices spike without explanation, people notice. When people suspect they are being taken advantage of, trust in the system erodes quickly. This legislation is about restoring and protecting that trust.

These bills speak directly to the everyday experience of people in my electorate in southern Sydney. Global instability has created volatility in oil and fuel markets. My community understands that international events can affect prices here at home. What they expect, however, is honesty, transparency and fair conduct from companies operating in Australia—and we agree. That expectation is reasonable, and it's exactly what these bills reinforce. For my community, petrol isn't an optional extra; it's how people get to work, run their businesses and keep family life moving. When prices jump without clear reason, people feel it straightaway. We know that fuel prices are susceptible to international prices. We know we can't control the international price of oil. But these bills make one thing clear: international conflict is not an excuse to rip off Australians. If petrol companies mislead customers or rip off people, the penalties will be serious. We're backing strong rules, real enforcement and fair prices at the pump because Australians deserve a fair go.

These bills build on reforms already delivered by the Albanese Labor government. Penalties were increased to $50 million. The ACCC was given stronger powers, including petrol price monitoring and the ability to issue on-the-spot fines. Those changes strengthen oversight. This legislation ensures enforcement remains effective and credible as markets evolve. For the fuel sector, that credibility is critical. Petrol is an essential cost. Trades rely on it. Small business relies on it. Families rely on it. Strong enforcement helps ensure fair conduct across the market.

These bills build on practical action taken by this government to maintain supply and security and to improve fuel accessibility. We are boosting supply by releasing 20 per cent of the baseline minimum stockholding obligation for petrol and diesel. We are temporarily amending fuel standards to increase supply. We are working with the ACCC to ensure fuel can move to where it's needed most while strengthening price monitoring and transparency. We are engaging internationally to protect Australia's fuel supply chains in an increasingly uncertain global environment. In addition to that, we've appointed the Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator, Anthea Harris, to ensure fuel is getting to where it's needed most.

Recent global events have added pressure to fuel markets. Australia cannot control global volatility, but we can control how strongly we protect consumers at home. These bills strengthen accountability, reinforce deterrence and ensure that the consequences for wrongdoing reflect the harm caused to real people and real businesses. This should be a shared priority across the parliament. I note the member for Wright has said we should be wary of the rush. My community can't wait for reliability of fuel price. Those opposite need to get on board and support a real measure that will make a tangible difference in the lives of Australians who are paying for fuel.

The Albanese Labor government's priorities are clear. We're addressing inflation, we're supporting productivity and we're protecting Australians through global uncertainty. Those opposite need to get on board for the sake of Australians right across the country. Ensuring fairer petrol prices and stronger enforcement is essential to the task of looking after Australians in a time of international uncertainty.

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