Competition and Consumer Point-in-Time Service Updates

The Competition and Consumer Point-in-Time Service has been updated to include the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Act 2026 (Cth) (Act No 48 of 2026).

Act 48 of 2026

This Act makes amendments to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) and the National Emergency Declaration Act 2020 (Cth) to address ongoing impacts of the conflict in the Middle East.

Schedule 1 to the Act provides a power for the Minister to make an exceptional circumstance declaration and enables the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to authorise and exempt conduct that is in the public interest but might otherwise breach competition laws when it assists in the response to those exceptional circumstances. The new powers include safeguards to protect consumers from harm, and declarations are subject to disallowance and sunset provisions.

Schedule 2 to the Act amends Part IVB of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) to:

• increase the penalty to be specified in an infringement notice issued in relation to an alleged contravention of an industry code that relates to suppliers, distributors and retailers in the petroleum marketing industry;
• increase the maximum penalty for breach of a civil penalty provision in an industry code that relates to suppliers, distributors and retailers in the petroleum marketing industry.

These amendments have been updated in the Point-in-Time Competition and Consumer Service current to 2 June 2026. (NB: Subscription required).

If you are not already a subscriber to this or other Point-in-Time Services then please contact us to find out more or to take a free trial.