Tasmania’s parliament has passed new laws giving the state government stronger powers to monitor fuel supplies, penalise companies and cap petrol prices during emergencies, following a late-night sitting that ran into Friday morning.
The Petroleum Reporting (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2026 was introduced, debated and passed through both houses in a single day.
Deputy Premier Guy Barnett said the changes respond to rising fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and strengthen the state’s ability to act during supply disruptions.
The legislation amends four existing acts and introduces tougher penalties for fuel companies that breach mandatory codes of practice, with fines of up to $205,000 for corporations and $41,000 for individuals – based on the current penalty unit value of $205.
Similar penalties apply for providing false or misleading information about energy supply.
The government can now compel fuel companies to provide detailed information on production, storage, distribution and sales where there is a serious risk to Tasmania’s energy supply.
Previously, companies could refuse such requests without penalty.
Fuel retailers will also be required to report outages on the FuelCheck app within 30 minutes, with voluntary reporting to begin on Monday.
The laws extend the maximum petroleum emergency declaration period from 28 to 60 days and clarify the government’s power to set maximum fuel prices during a declared emergency.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the changes would improve oversight and consumer protection.
“These new laws give Tasmania stronger tools to keep fuel companies accountable, protect consumers, and act decisively during supply risks or emergencies,” he said.
Barnett told parliament Tasmania’s fuel supply remains secure, with all five terminals restocked this month and April deliveries on schedule.
He said the terminals collectively hold enough petrol for 57 days and diesel for 39 days under normal consumption.
“This means, in the unlikely event it becomes necessary, maximum fuel prices can be set,” he said.
The bill was supported by Labor and the Greens but prompted concern in the Legislative Council over the speed of its passage.
Troy Bennett, chief executive of Bennett’s Petroleum, wrote to members urging them to delay the legislation.
He said the bill contained “a number of potentially problematic measures” and that “currently, there is no fuel supply issue in Tasmania”.
The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry also raised concerns, warning price caps could have “serious perverse effects” on fuel supply.
Neither organisation was consulted before the bill was introduced.
Despite the concerns, the legislation passed both houses.
Barnett has called on the federal government to cut the fuel excise, currently more than 50 cents per litre, saying it would provide “real and immediate price relief for Tasmanians”.
