Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move opposition amendments (1) to (6) as circulated in my name together:

(1) Clause 2, page 2 (table item 1), omit "Sections 1 to 3", substitute "Sections 1 to 4".

(2) Page 2 (after line 12), after clause 3, insert:

4 Sunsetting of amendments

The amendments made by Schedules 1 and 2 are repealed on 2 July 2026.

(3) Schedule 1, item 4, page 5 (line 2), omit "may", substitute "must not".

(4) Schedule 1, item 4, page 6 (lines 20 to 22), omit "which may be before the commencement of this section, but must not be before 1 April 2026", substitute "which must not be before the commencement of this section".

(5) Schedule 1, item 5, page 10 (lines 1 to 3), omit "which may be before the commencement of this section, but must not be before 1 April 2026", substitute "which must not be before the commencement of this section".

(6) Schedule 1, item 6, page 12 (lines 1 to 3), omit "which may be before the commencement of this section, but must not be before 1 April 2026", substitute "which must not be before the commencement of this section".

The amendments would remove the retrospective application of the bill. The government has introduced this bill with a 1 April 2026 retrospective start date, but we don't have any detail or any explanation of why that date is needed. We're happy to work constructively with the government on these issues, but this is a matter of competition law, and we don't know if there's been a breach of the law that the government is aware of. This amendment would remove the retrospectivity of the law. The amendments would also introduce a sunset clause to the bill. The changes to the bill would sunset on 2 July 2026. This would allow for the bill to be passed, a proper inquiry to occur and then the legislation to remove the sunset clause if appropriate. We are trying to be constructive. We are willing to support this bill, even without an inquiry, if it is not retrospective and has a sensible sunset clause.

Andrew Leigh (Fenner, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government will not be supporting these amendments. The world is facing the largest shock to oil supply that we have seen in world history. In response to that, the government is putting in place unprecedented measures in order to ensure that fuel supply flows and to put downward pressure on fuel prices. This is part of the armoury of the government's response. It is important that it have the breadth as outlined in the bill and that it be able to take effect as outlined. These are important measures which will help consumers by ensuring that there can be coordinated action where it is to the benefit of motorists but not where it is to the detriment of motorists. I commend the unamended bill to the House.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the amendments moved by the honourable member for Page be agreed to.