Julie-Ann Campbell
Moreton · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“It was Steven Miles who introduced 50c fares, which go to making sure that people can have relief when they tap their card at the bus or to get on the train. And it was many energy workers who came together to make sure that publicly owned renewables could be back in state government hands.”
“We just heard during the MPI in this parliament every excuse that they could think of—every obfuscation that came to mind, every reason—to not back reform that protects our children. The news I want to give to those opposite is this: we will not lie down when it comes to ensuring that Australian children are safe.”
“It is important to remember that yesterday marked a tax cut, the fifth from this government, for every Australian taxpaying worker. It is important to remember that this government, unlike those opposite, backed in minimum and award wage increases which came into effect yesterday.”
“Yesterday didn't just mark the beginning of a new financial year, it marked the next step in the Albanese Labor government's crusade to ensure that cost-of-living relief is delivered to everyday Australians, and it sits in stark contrast to what we've seen from those opposite this week.”
“If you've ever sat in your car at the Coopers Plains crossing on Boundary Road, you would know that it can feel like an absolute eternity. It's been consistently named by the RACQ as one of the worst crossings in our entire state. Locals in my community have been waiting decades for the promised overpass to that rail level crossing.”
“But if you'd cracked open the LNP's budget last Tuesday, what you would have found as you sorted through the papers is that there was no commitment and no timeline to this important project being delivered, despite the state previously having committed $179.5 million to the project as well.”
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“I, myself, remember going to that crossing, holding placards and campaigning for it to be fixed. This is borne out in the incident record. Twenty-eight boom strikes were recorded at the site between 2009 and 2016, and a total of 101 incidents were documented between 2004 and 2011. So you can see that local residents and the thousands of drivers who go across that crossing daily have been waiting for a long time for this to be resolved. The federal government already committed $179.5 million in 2022 to build an overpass, and I'm very proud that in the 2026-27 budget, it includes an additional $99.7 million so that the Queensland state government can deliver this vital project. It's not about infrastructure in and of itself. It's about making everyday life easier and getting my community home to their families safer and faster.”
“Boundary Road takes drivers across a level crossing with three train tracks. Approximately 200 trains on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines pass through that crossing daily. Each time the boom gates are lowered, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians endure lengthy delays, particularly during the morning and afternoon peak traffic times. In my community, we are absolutely sick of it. This crossing has regularly been identified as one of the most problematic in Queensland. Train drivers ranked it among the state's worst level crossings. As far back as 2012, it was identified as one of the top 6 priority crossings requiring attention, and then, in 2019, the Queensland Rail Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model ranked it within the three most dangerous crossings in the state.”
“If I had to summarise Labor's approach to fixing the housing crisis we received from those opposite, I would say that it's about building more homes, I would say that it's about building them more quickly, I would say that it's about making the system fairer, and I would say that it's about ensuring that more Australians have a safe and secure place to live. Before I conclude my speech, there is one other very important local element of the budget which I'd like to highlight. Boundary Road in my electorate of Moreton is a key east-west artery. It links Archerfield, with its concentration of manufacturing, logistics and transport companies, with the residents and myriad of small businesses of Robertson and Sunnybank—and then on through to the M1 motorway. Smack-bang in-between those two suburbs lies Coopers Plains.”
“This is something that is needed now, because, when you talk to people in our communities, they know that housing is an issue now. It comes in response to long-term trends in the housing market and the fact that we know that there are significant supply issues over decades and decades. This is about making sure that we are not only addressing the issues in our tax system but also backing it up with investment in long-term housing to fix this issue. What didn't fix it when the coalition were in government was not having a housing minister. What didn't fix it when the coalition were in government was failing to build homes when we had the opportunity. And what didn't fix it was voting against a tax cut for every taxpaying Australian. The reforms are designed to address these pressures and to improve access for young Australians.”
“Changing the way that negative gearing and the capital gains tax work will make the housing system fairer and will make it more balanced, because, frankly, the interaction between the housing market and the tax system is broken. Right now, it ain't working, and we need to do something about it. If the system isn't getting outcomes for people to be able to get into their own homes, we need to take action, and this is a government that takes that responsibility very seriously. Changing the way negative gearing and the capital gains tax work will make the housing system fairer and will make it more balanced. Changes to the CGT will see the current arrangements replaced with cost base indexation and a minimum 30 per cent tax rate on capital gains.”
“It's older people who are worried that their kids will never realise the dream that they were able to have when they were growing up. It's people who have had to start over and now need to get back into the market. That's why we're making sure that more homes are available for Australians by extending the ban on foreign investors buying existing homes to mid-2029. For renters, we're continuing to work with states and territories to strengthen renters' rights, and, importantly, there's also targeted support for those doing it the toughest. At the same time, Labor is making changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions, which are expected to help about 75,000 more Australians to buy their own home over the next decade.”
“Since 1 July 2022, the Albanese Labor government has funded 437 new or amended PBS medicines. Again, this is a real example of proper cost-of-living support. When it comes to housing, this budget is squarely aimed at getting more homes built and making it easier for Australians, particularly for young Australians, to get into the housing market. We're investing $2 billion in a new local infrastructure fund to help councils and utilities deliver the basics that we need for new housing—for things like roads, water, power and sewerage, which will unlock up to 65,000 homes over the next decade. When you speak to people in my electorate, it's not just young people who are concerned about housing; it's families who are trying to get into their first home.”
“This budget invests an additional $5.9 billion to list new medicines on the PBS. This includes treatments for serious and ongoing conditions such as cystic fibrosis, chronic kidney disease and a range of cancers, helping ensure patients can access the medicines they need without facing overwhelming costs. I got to visit one of them in Corinda. The pharmacist in Corinda showed me Yaz, and she told me that, before Yaz was on the PBS, people used to pay 80 bucks for it—and now it's down to 25 bucks, an enormous saving and one of the first times in a long time that that kind of medication has gone onto the PBS. It also includes permanently reducing the cost of COVID-19 oral antiviral medicines, making it easier and more affordable for people to get timely treatment when they need it.”
“Quarterly data released today indicates that the national GP bulk-billing rate was 81.9 per cent for the January to March quarter—an increase of nearly five per cent from the same time last year. This is having an absolutely real impact in our local communities, and there are now over 3,800 Medicare bulk-billing practices around Australia. Australians have also been able to access cheaper medicines. As at the end of April there have been over 2.7 million cheaper scripts in Moreton alone since Labor rolled out its cheaper-medicines initiative. Just the other day I got to visit one of the pharmacies where those $25 scripts are being handed out, the Urunga TerryWhite Chemmart. Not only do you get greeted by a smile; when you put your card across the pharmacy, if it's a PBS medicine all you'll ever pay is 25 bucks.”
“Another two urgent Medicare clinics are due to open by the end of next month. Of these clinics, 47 are in rural and regional Australia, meaning that when all clinics are open four out of five Australians will be able to access a clinic within just a 20-minute drive—and, remember, when you get there, all you need is that little green card. Speaking of Medicare cards, there are now 26 fully bulk-billed general practices in my local seat of Moreton. This is an increase of 12 since Labor's historic investment to bolster Medicare. Whether you're going to the Beaudesert Road surgery in Moorooka or to the GP just across the road from Chardons Corner, in Annerley, there are clinics that were formerly mixed-billing that are now fully bulk-billing because of the investment the Albanese Labor government has made.”
“They're open seven days a week with extended hours, making it easier for people to get help when they need it most. The medical teams at these clinics can treat a wide range of non-life threatening conditions and industries that still need prompt attention such as cuts, infections or sprains. And it's not just Oxley, on the south side of Brisbane; the member for Griffith and I held a barbecue in Annerley just a couple of weeks ago to bring people together to get a taste of the Cornwall Street urgent care clinic. That brought in families with their stories of how they had been helped by being able to access local urgent care at zero cost with just their Medicare card. They take the pressure off hospital emergency departments so hospitals can focus on treating the most serious and life-threatening cases.”
“The answer is the Medicare urgent care clinic at Oxley. I know firsthand how incredibly useful this service is. Our toddler has been there numerous times, each time receiving timely, thorough and reassuring attention from the medical team there. Thanks to this budget, this crucial southside service is here to stay, and so are the other 134 Medicare urgent care clinics around this nation. An additional $1.8 billion will be invested over five years from 2025-26, and over $579 million a year ongoing from 2030-31, to keep Medicare urgent care clinics open and free for the Australian people. Why is this so important? Because Medicare urgent care clinics provide free walk-in care for urgent health issues, with no appointment needed.”
“The challenges facing Australians—issues such as the younger generation trying to access housing and being able to realise the dream that so many of us had before this moment, and the rising costs at the checkout and at the bowser—need to be addressed, and they need to be addressed now. That's why we're rolling out new tax cuts for workers. That's why we're helping more people get into their own homes, investing in Medicare and making it easier to build, run a business and, indeed, invest. All of this is about creating a stronger, fairer economy that gives more people a chance to get ahead. It addresses the key issues that the constituents of Moreton raise with me: health, housing, cost of living. Which free-of-charge service in Moreton has been visited over 16,000 times in just the last 18 months?”
“It doesn't matter where you go in my local electorate on Brisbane's south side, whether it's a barbecue in Tarragindi, whether it's on the doors in Annerley, whether it's an event in Sunnybank, whether it's on a street corner in Acacia Ridge, everyone raises the same challenges that they and their families are facing again and again and again. Those challenges are housing and cost of living. Labor is providing more cost-of-living relief for households while also setting up for the future. We're focused on increasing productivity, improving the tax system, making the housing market fairer and strengthening the budget so that it's sustainable over the long term. That's what these times demand.”
“On top of that, when they were in government, they didn't even have a housing minister for most of the time. The member for Flynn talks a lot about cost of living, but he's part of a political party that has voted against every single cost-of-living measure that the Albanese Labor government has put forward. I think what the member for Flynn needs, when we talk about that speech in particular, is to note that ye are in need of some great self-reflection. Nearly two weeks ago we stood in this chamber and heard the Treasurer handing down the 2026-27 budget. It's a budget that delivers what Australia needs right now. It's responsible, it implements real reform and it's about making sure the economy works better for more Australians, not just a few.”
“I think it's so interesting that the member for Flynn decided to open up his grandiose speech with quotes from Oliver Cromwell. Specifically, when we think about the 'Rump Parliament' speech of Oliver Cromwell, what was that all about? It was ostensibly about the frustration that Cromwell had at the time with the parliament's endless debate and talk and lack of action and progress at the other end. I think it is so ironic that the member for Flynn decides to bring this up, because the member for Flynn is part of a party that talks a lot about tax cuts but voted against a tax cut. The member for Flynn is part of a party that talks a lot about housing and getting housing for our young people, yet has absolutely no plan to get a house to a young person.”
“It's why we're getting more young people into homes. It's why we've introduced stronger consumer protections. It's why we've introduced productivity reforms. And it's why we're delivering more tax cuts to help Australians to keep more of what they earn. Whether it is strengthening supply chains or improving fuel security—reducing unnecessary disruption at times of deep uncertainty—Australians deserve confidence here at home, and that's what this bill delivers.”
“The stronger penalties in this bill support those expectations. They reinforce accountability and they strengthen confidence in Australia's fuel market at a time when trust and stability matter more than ever. This bill does not exist in isolation. It forms a part of a broader commitment by this Albanese Labor government to help Australians manage cost-of-living pressures and strengthen our economic resilience. We know that global shocks affect household budgets. We have seen inflationary pressures flow through international supply chains. We have seen energy and transport costs affect prices across our economy. That is why this government is focused on delivering practical measures to help everyday Australians with the cost of living. It's why we're strengthening Medicare with more bulk-billing.”
“The second major reform in this bill concerns accountability, because, in times of instability, Australians rightly expect businesses to do the right thing, to not take advantage of a crisis. The bill strengthens penalties for breaches of the Oil Code of Conduct. Significantly stronger penalties will apply to corporations that breach their obligations, including penalties tied to turnover or financial benefit where appropriate, ensuring that misconduct is not simply treated as the cost of doing business. This sends an important message: periods of global disruption are not an opportunity for bad actors to ignore obligations or to exploit instability. Australians expect fairness, they expect transparency, and they expect confidence that the rules will be enforced, particularly when the chips are down.”
“When fuel costs ripple through the economy, it is Australians on the front line, and they can feel that too. We see it in rising prices, delivery delays, higher business costs and the additional strain on family budgets. For communities like mine in Moreton on Brisbane's southside, these pressures are very real. People rely on affordable transport to get to work. Small businesses rely on efficient freight and logistics. Families, already having stretched their budgets, do not have room for unnecessary price increases caused by avoidable disruptions. This bill recognises that reality. It is practical reform, it's real reform, and it's preventive reform. And it is designed to reduce the likelihood that Australians pay more because governments or regulators failed to act early enough.”
“We were there, and what we remember, in this country, is that coordination, stability, a clear plan—a plan rolled out by this government—is what has helped people get through those tough times and navigate those extraordinary circumstances. This is about making sure that we have a framework for that happening again and again and again. Australians have an expectation, and it's an expectation that they deserve to get an answer to. Australians expect governments to act decisively when circumstances demand it, but they also expect us to act responsibly. This bill strikes that balance—a responsible government, a decisive government when exceptions are extraordinary. Labor is focused on keeping Australia moving, because, when supply chains fail, Australians can feel it. When transport slows, Australians can feel it.”
“The powers are subject to clear legal requirements, and they're subject to public accountability. The ACCC must continue to consider the public interest, and coordinated conduct must remain proportionate and appropriate. These arrangements are designed for exceptional situations, rather than being permanent changes to how businesses operate. We have seen what happens when exceptional circumstances come into play. We were all there for the pandemic, when people were unsure as to what would happen next. We have all been there more recently, as fuel has been incredibly challenging for people at the bowser, as people have watched the numbers tick over and worried about where their groceries might come from.”
“This bill helps make that possible, and this bill helps bolster the Australian spirit to drive together to find those solutions with government. Prevention is always better than reaction. If we can avoid unnecessary price pressures before they hit households, that matters. If we can keep supply chains functioning smoothly, that matters. And, if we can reduce disruption for businesses and consumers, that matters. Now, whenever governments introduce extraordinary powers, Australians rightly expect safeguards, and this bill has them. These are not open ended powers. They are limited, they are targeted and they are temporary. They are built for exactly what this bill intends to address: extraordinary circumstances. Declarations must relate to genuine extraordinary circumstances that present risks to the economy, to businesses or to consumers.”
“It is about government, regulators and industry working together in harmony to minimise the harm. In the current context, this could mean businesses working together to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption. It could mean businesses working together to improve logistics, to manage transport efficiency or, indeed, to avoid avoidable disruptions to those supply chains. It could mean better coordination to reduce costs. It could mean improving efficiency and maintaining reliability for consumers instead of waiting for shortages or disruptions to emerge. Businesses can work collaboratively to prevent them. We know that, when times are tough in this country, our communities are very good at coming together. Our communities are very good at looking at what needs to be done and working with each other to solve problems.”
“Supply chains can shift overnight, consumer demand can change rapidly, and global disruptions can escalate without much warning at all. During moments such as the pandemic, businesses and regulators learned the importance of responding quickly to changing conditions to ensure that Australians could still access essential goods and services, to make sure that the Australian people could get what they needed in a tough time. Waiting months for processes to unfold simply does not make sense when circumstances are moving so very quickly. This bill enables the ACCC to grant faster, streamlined approvals so that business can coordinate in practical ways that support Australians and complement the work of government. I want to emphasise that point specifically—'complement the work of government'. This is not replacing government action.”
“Not every significant disruption reaches the threshold of a national emergency declaration, but there are moments when swift and coordinated action is still necessary to minimise economic harm. Under existing arrangements, businesses can already seek authorisation from the ACCC to coordinate in certain circumstances. The problem is that the current system can be too slow. The current system can be too cumbersome when time matters and when time is of the utmost importance. In ordinary times, that process is absolutely appropriate—we need to make sure that we are working through a systematic process. But extraordinary circumstances require flexibility. They require pace. They require the quick coordination that only this legislation can deliver. We know from past crises that events can move quickly.”
“The first major reform in this bill creates new powers to allow faster and more effective coordination during extraordinary circumstances—extraordinary circumstances that we have seen of late. It is important to be clear about exactly what this means. The bill allows the Treasurer to declare extraordinary circumstances where there is a serious risk to the Australian economy, businesses or consumers but where those circumstances may fall short of a formal national emergency. It's when things are tough, it's when matters are extraordinary, and it's when we know that someone needs to step in to protect our businesses and our people. That distinction matters.”
“It streamlines coordination when swift action is needed and strengthens penalties for serious breaches of the Oil Code of Conduct to reinforce accountability in the fuel market and to reinforce not just accountability but fairness in the fuel market to make sure that the actions that large businesses take are not negatively affecting the Australian people when it matters the most and when hip pockets are tight. Most importantly, this bill is about prevention. It's about making sure that we are not waiting until supply disruptions deepen, prices spike further or businesses face avoidable disruption before acting. Instead, in quite the contrast, it ensures that Australia has sensible tools available to respond early, to coordinate effectively and to keep our economy moving.”
“We are strengthening our preparedness, we're improving coordination when extraordinary circumstances arise and we're ensuring that the systems are in place to respond quickly when disruption threatens supply chains, prices or indeed economic stability. That is what this bill is designed to do. The Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026 is a practical and measured response to global uncertainty. It gives government and it gives regulators the tools that they need to respond more quickly during extraordinary circumstances that threaten those supply chains, that increase costs or that place additional pressure on Australian consumers and on Australian businesses.”
“Australians are rightly frustrated when events unfolding so far away overseas end up making life more expensive here at home. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has contributed to volatility in global energy markets and placed pressure on fuel prices internationally. While Australia remains well positioned and our fuel supply continues to operate effectively, responsible governments do not cross their fingers and hope for the best. Responsible governments prepare, and that is what this Albanese Labor government is doing with this legislation. Resilience is not built in the middle of a crisis; it is built long beforehand. That's why this government is taking practical action to ensure Australia is better equipped to respond when global uncertainty places that pressure on our families, businesses and the broader community.”
“Australians understand that we are living through uncertain times. We are seeing instability overseas, disruptions to global markets and events far beyond our shores affecting prices right here at home. Families feel it when they pull up at the bowser, small businesses feel it when their transport and supply costs rise, industries that rely on fuel and freight feel it across their operations, and communities feel it when rising costs place even more pressure on already stretched household budgets. That is because fuel touches almost every part of our economy. When fuel costs rise, transport becomes more expensive, freight becomes more expensive and businesses face higher operating costs. Those pressures do not stop there. They flow through supply chains, onto supermarket shelves and into the weekly budgets of everyday Australian families.”
“We were there with members of QENDO, which is ably led by their CEO, Jess Taylor; nurses; and GPs from that clinic. They're proud to be one of the clinics to be recognised by the federal government to provide expert, multidisciplinary services and care for pelvic pain and women with endometriosis. It's part of the biggest package that this government has put in place for women's health, and I was delighted to share with Dr Than, Dr Thein and Dr Kosaka on the brilliant work they do.”
“I want to congratulate Principal Meg McClure for hosting the community hub and Miss Tammy, who runs the local program at Runcorn State School. It brings together students from all backgrounds, and they have access to small and caring yet safe and challenging educational environments, whether that's conversational English, relaxed coffee catch-ups, playgroups, crafts or a First Nations group. They create a space of familiarity with the school environment, setting up successful transitions to prep. We now have 33 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics open across this country, and I was lucky enough to visit one of them the other day, the Oxley endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic. It's called Evoca Women's Health centre in Oxley.”
“It's operated continuously since 1867, and the school is on the Queensland heritage register, with buildings dating back to the 1880s. It's a very special part of my local community. I visited Runcorn State School community hub just the other day. A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 10:52 to 11:05 Last week I walked into a classroom at Runcorn State School. The shelves were filled with toys, the tables were adorned with cupcakes, and, importantly, mums and babies from across my local electorate were coming together in the community. It's part of Community Hubs, which have received federal funding from our government for the last three years and have so for over a decade.”
“My toddler and I picked out two cakes. We picked them out early because they always run out; the stall is so popular. We shuffled through hundreds and hundreds of books, and finally landed on Dumbo . We had a snow cone hand churned by local parents. It was the Sherwood State School fete, and we went there last Saturday. It's always a big effort in our community, and I want to take the opportunity to thank the P&C president, Paul Arias-Winnister, and principal, Lisa Masek, for making it happen. It's a fete that brings our community together, between rides, stalls, plants, clothes, toys, books and well-timed for Mothers Day, with cakes, sweets and a special stall. I want to congratulate every single parent who makes that fete tick. Later this year, we'll also celebrate the school's 160th anniversary—in 2027, next year.”
“Labor has already seen some of the most significant overhaul of Australia's merger laws in 50 years, ensuring that major mergers are properly assessed and that anticompetitive acquisitions do not proceed without scrutiny. We've provided an additional $30 million in funding for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, strengthening its ability to take action on misleading pricing practices, particularly in sectors such as supermarkets. Further reforms are improving fairness and accountability across the market. The government has outlawed unfair contract terms, with regulators now empowered to seek penalties for breaches. Work is also underway to strengthen the unit-pricing code. These amendments have a myriad of benefits for consumers, especially at a time when cost of living is at its toughest.”
“I'm lucky enough to have my office in the heart of the Brisbane seat of Moreton, in a place called Sunnybank. If you took a rock and you threw it as far as you could and you drew a circle around that, you'd find so many of these small businesses, vulnerable to big players. Some of them are in hospitality, some are in retail, some are in manufacturing—all sorts of different sectors. But, just like consumers, they deserve protections when it comes to the changing technological landscape. This bill is part of the Albanese Labor government's drive to support consumers, to increase transparency in the marketplace and to boost competition. It's all part of this government's No. 1 priority area: supporting Australians with the cost of living. Stronger competition plays a critical role in this and helps to deliver better outcomes for households.”
“In addition, the first two years of the subscription provisions will be reviewed to ensure the reforms are protecting consumers in the intended way. I mentioned small businesses just now. While this bill is focused on strengthening consumer safeguards, unfair trading practices are not limited to individuals. Small businesses and franchises often face similar challenges when dealing with their larger counterparts, and they deserve fairness as well. The government has started consultation on extending these unfair trading practice protections to small businesses, including those operating with franchising arrangements. The government will also work closely with the Assistant Treasurer and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to explore potential alignment within the financial services sector.”
“These obligations will apply both to consumer subscriptions and to standard form subscription contracts used by small businesses. At its core, the reform recognises one very basic principle: if a contract can be entered into quickly, it should be just as easy to exit it. That is what makes sense. That is what is fair. And that is the obligation that businesses should have to their customers and to consumers more broadly. The amendments will come into effect from 1 July 2027, giving businesses sufficient time to understand their new responsibilities and to update their practices. To support this transition, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will provide detailed guidance on how the new laws will operate in practice.”
“Finally, the bill will add transparency to subscription purchases by requiring businesses to clearly provide essential information before customers sign up—not after; not in the tiny print; not locked away behind seven screens; before they make the purchase. Customers will also receive reminders and notifications at key points during that subscription. This means that you'll be notified when your free trial is ending, or when your renewal is coming up, giving you the time to decide if you want to continue or if you want to opt out. And, in the case of opting out, businesses will have to ensure that it's easier to cancel a subscription. That means it will be easier to find cancellation information on the website or the app, it will be simpler to complete and it will only require steps that are reasonably necessary for the consumer.”
“By ensuring that any additional costs are clearly and transparently disclosed upfront, consumers will have a better understanding of the real price, allowing them to make more informed decisions from the outset, because, after all, transparent pricing is essential for markets to function effectively. When costs are hidden or revealed incrementally, genuine competition is weakened. We know how important competition is for markets and for our economy, because competition is a core driver of quality; competition is a core driver of getting prices down. These reforms help restore a level playing field, ensuring that businesses that are open and transparent are not placed at a disadvantage compared to those that conceal true price until that very final step.”
“These are deliberately designed to swindle consumers. The bill's intention is not to limit genuine promotion or standard advertising. Instead, the focus is on addressing mechanisms that cross that line from persuasion into manipulation, harming consumers and negatively affecting fair competition. When you cross that line, you need to know that the law in this country is coming for you. The second focus of the bill is on banning drip-pricing practices. Businesses will have to present the total cost upfront, including any unavoidable fees or charges. Now, Tim, in my local community, learnt that the hard way, and others shouldn't have to.”
“This includes preventing or hindering customers from exercising their legal rights or accessing remedies, failing to provide important information and presenting key details in ways that are confusing, unclear, overly complex, ambiguous, poorly timed or just plain overwhelming. It also covers situations where the overall environment, such as the design of digital interfaces, places undue pressure on consumers or makes it difficult for them to make or act on decisions. You know what this looks like. It's the countdown timer that increases the urgency to click the buy button. We watch it on our computers. Tick, tick, tick—better press buy right now. Or there's the pop-up that tells you that there's only one item left to purchase, and you'd better hurry up because your time is running out to click that button and pay. These aren't helpful.”
“This includes mechanisms that distort the environment in which consumers make decisions leading to harm. This measure will capture a wide range of behaviours designed to influence choices in ways that are misleading and in ways that are exploitative to everyday consumers. It's intended to set a clear and consistent standard of fair conduct across all sectors, enhancing fair competition and indeed boosting consumer confidence in the system itself. The bill sets out practical guidance by including a non-exhaustive list of illustrative examples of conduct that could breach these new laws.”
“That's why the Albanese Labor government has introduced the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026. It brings consumer law in line with how Australians now buy, compare and subscribe. As technology changes and as norms for payments change, we must change with them. We have to keep up to date lest everyday Australians cop the brunt of not having regulatory frameworks that address the real way in which Australians pay for things and in which they shop. This bill squarely targets unfair trading practices and is part of the government's commitment to improve protections for consumers. It has three key areas of focus. Firstly, the bill introduces a ban on unfair trading practices by establishing a broad principles based rule that targets conduct which manipulates consumers.”
“All you need to do is scroll through your phone—whether you've got Spotify, Netflix, Disney Plus, Stan or so many others—to know that this is a challenging problem, and it's getting bigger and bigger every day. It's easier for the number of subscriptions you have to accumulate over time, and, over time, you might not even notice the payments leaving your bank account. And when you do want to cancel, in many cases, it's a complicated process. It shouldn't be a complicated process. Despite the entire subscription process being online, you might have to make a phone call to realise your cancellation. There can be multiple steps that can be deliberately confusing. What the assistant minister described as a labyrinth of cancellation paths is real, and it's affecting everyday Australians every day.”
“It was a holiday he was going on with his friends, and it was his first real time buying something for a trip that he wouldn't be going on with his parents. The ticket seemed cheap, but, as he went to pay, those extra charges added up. Another major change is the popularity of subscriptions. This is something that impacted Tim as well. Consumers are increasingly signing up to ongoing services, such as streaming platforms, apps and software, which automatically renew. For Tim's generation, these things should not be the norm. Tim needs to know, particularly at one of the most financially vulnerable points in his life, that, as a consumer, he is protected and he isn't taken advantage of.”
“Drip pricing is the name given to additional fees, things like booking charges and service costs, which are added as the transaction progresses. Consumers lured by what might at first seem like a good deal can find that the product is significantly more expensive than originally advertised by the time the actual purchase is made. Drip pricing also makes it harder to compare prices. While once you'd go from shop to shop to find the best deal, it's now much harder to make an informed comparison on price when not all the costs are advertised upfront. You don't know all the costs when you choose to buy. I spoke to a local, a young bloke named Tim in my local area. He just finished high school last year, and we met at the Lounge in the suburb of Runcorn on Brisbane's south side. Tim told me a story about a long-awaited holiday.”
“A generation ago, shopping looked very different from what it looks like today. For a start, you had to physically go to the shops and drive into the carpark. You had to get your trolley, walk it down the aisles, pick out what you wanted, go to the check-out and pay in cash. Transactions were pretty simple. You checked out those goods, you paid the price once and you walked away with an item. These days, though, it is, of course, possible to never set foot in a store or a shop. Shopping online offers us convenience and accessibility; we can shop from anywhere at any time. The landscape and the technology have changed. That's just one difference with how we shop, though. Another is in the price. Often, the true cost of your purchase is only revealed at that last click, and the payment might never actually stop.”
“The Aussie idea of a 'fair go' may be one of those phrases that you hear all the time, but it really does capture something important about who we are as Australians. At its core, it's about making sure that everyone is treated fairly and gets a decent shot. It applies on an individual level and also on a societal level. You can see it in how we value fair access to health care and to education. And right now, when so many Aussies are doing it tough, we also need a fair go at the check-out. I don't just mean on price; I'm talking about the need for consumers to be treated fairly and the need for business to play by the same transparent rules. At a time when commerce is rapidly changing and at a time of global economic uncertainty, this is more important than ever.”