Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026

Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) (11:00): I thank Senator McKim for moving those amendments together on behalf of Senator Payman. The government will be opposing the amendments on sheet 3771. We understand and agree with the intent of the amendments.

This bill ends subscription traps. Consumers should be notified before a free trial ends, and we're actively developing those requirements, but we believe these amendments are overly prescriptive and remove important and necessary flexibilities. We will be opposing the amendment on sheet 3772 also.

Requiring a consumer to create an account or provide information can often serve legitimate purposes, including improving security, facilitating legitimate transactions and enabling ongoing services. Those practices in and of themselves are not unfair. On that basis, we urge the Senate to reject these amendments.

The CHAIR: The question is that amendments on sheet 3772 and 3771 be agreed to.