The ACT Legislative Assembly has passed the Government’s Fuel Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 in a bid to strengthen preparedness, transparency and consumer protections in response to global fuel disruptions.
The Bill provides the Government with targeted powers, when required, to access timely, accurate information about fuel availability, helping inform decisions that protect households, businesses and essential services.
The improved access to fuel supply data will allow the Government to better understand real fuel availability in the ACT, respond proportionately to changing conditions, and safeguard commercially sensitive information, said Chief Minister, Andrew Barr.
“While local fuel supply remains secure, these powers ensure the Government has the right information to act early so if disruptions occur, we can respond effectively and in the interests of consumers, businesses, and essential services,” said Mr Barr.
“These powers will also increase the maximum penalty for price mismatching at petrol stations, strengthening consumer protections and ensuring greater accuracy and transparency at the pump.
“We’re working closely with the Commonwealth and industry to make sure local distribution continues smoothly and planning ahead to ensure supply remains reliable in the months to come.”
The Bill amends the Fuels Rationing Act 2019 to allow the Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water to require fuel sellers to provide information about fuel supply, including stock levels and expected deliveries.
Penalties have also been introduced for failing to provide this information, alongside strengthened enforcement powers. New protections are included to safeguard commercial confidentiality, making it an offence to use or disclose protected information outside the purposes of the legislation.
“Reliable information will help ensure fuel continues to reach households, businesses and essential services across Canberra during global uncertainty,” said Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water, Suzanne Orr.
“I am encouraged by Canberrans continuing to do the right thing, including petrol retailers. These changes are designed to give Canberrans further confidence that fuel supply and pricing are being monitored closely, supporting fairness at the bowser, and a steady supply across the ACT.”
Consumer protections have also been strengthened through amendments to the Fair Trading (Fuel Prices) Act 1993, increasing the maximum penalty for fuel price mismatching from 20 to 50 penalty units. These measures reinforce transparency and fairness during periods of market stress.
The approach is consistent with measures proposed or adopted in other jurisdictions, including Western Australia, Tasmania and Victoria, in responding to the 2026 Energy Crisis and associated fuel supply disruptions.
The Government said the Bill does not activate fuel rationing.
“At this stage, there are no plans to introduce fuel rationing. Fuel supply remains reliable across the ACT, with any isolated service station outages being resolved quickly as deliveries arrive,” the Government said in a statement.
“The Government continues to work closely with the Australian Government and other states and territories to monitor fuel supply and demand nationally.”
More information is available at:Â www.act.gov.au/fuelsupply.
