Debate resumed from 5 May 2026.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields—Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, and Minister for Corrections) (16:34): In reply: I thank my colleagues for their valuable contributions to debate on the Fair Trading Amendment (FuelCheck) Bill 2026, particularly the member for Gosford, the member for Davidson, the member for East Hills, the member for Granville, the member for Fairfield, the member for Auburn, the member for Pittwater and the member for Penrith. I thank also the shadow Minister, the member for Willoughby. While we sit on opposite sides of the Chamber, today is a good example of us cultivating bipartisanship. In saying that, I address a number of points made during debate, particularly some rather unproductive commentary pushed by members opposite that simply will not bring fuel prices down, nor put hard‑earned cash back in motorists' pockets.
A 24-hour fuel price cap will not deliver the savings claimed by the Opposition. It is a false promise to the people of New South Wales. On top of that, there is a very real risk that it will incentivise retailers to lock in higher prices. We have seen in other jurisdictions that this approach has not worked. Instead, the Government is focused on real, practical action. It is cracking down on retailers doing the wrong thing and it is helping drivers find the cheapest fuel every single day, wherever they are. The bill is not about playing politics. That will not help anyone. The bill demonstrates the Government's continued commitment to ensuring that consumers in New South Wales have access to real-time information they can rely on to make informed purchasing decisions that reduce cost‑of‑living pressures associated with purchasing fuel.
I also call out the idea that action has been slow in this space. The reality is quite the opposite. Since March, as part of the Government's blitz, Fair Trading has carried out 4,200 inspections, issued over 250 fines worth almost $300,000, and visited 98 per cent of stations in the State, with the final most remote service stations due to be physically inspected in the coming weeks. The bill will build on that work. The bill makes amendments to the Fair Trading Act 1987 and the Fair Trading Regulation 2019 to make two new offences for noncompliance with New South Wales FuelCheck obligations, increase the maximum penalty amounts for service stations that fail to comply with reporting obligations, and increase the penalty infringement notice amounts in the regulation for these offences.
Now, more than ever, FuelCheck continues to be an integral tool for the people of New South Wales. During a time when fuel availability and cost-of-living concerns are impacting consumers and industry, these amendments will clarify service station obligations and the consequences for those who fail to provide accurate and timely information about fuel pricing. I am confident that the people of New South Wales will benefit greatly from the amendments contained in the bill. I thank our dedicated departmental officers for their efforts in bringing the bill to the House. Specifically, I thank Caitlin Novak, Timothy Richardson, Talya Gundogan, Emily Rokobauer, Dylan Iredale, Lachlan Brown, Elle Feeney, Anjaline Jayamohan and Rosie Hearne. I thank also my ministerial staff for their work on the bill. I commend the bill to the House.
TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Ms Donna Davis): The question is that this bill be now read a second time.
Motion agreed to.
Third Reading
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: I move:
That this bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to.
