The Senate backed the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 at close to 6pm eastern daylight saving time after rejecting Opposition, Greens and One Nation amendments.
Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth told the House of Representatives in her second reading speech in the lower house on Thursday that the Fair Work Act's provisions for contractual chain orders currently require the Commission to consult for at least six months when it is making a contractual chain order.
But with with the advent of "cost shocks" from the war in the Middle East, the Government "recognises the need to establish an urgent pathway for truckies and road transport businesses to argue for their fair share in the Fair Work Commission".
She said the amendments will enable the tribunal "to respond more quickly to contractual chain order applications in time-sensitive circumstances".
Rishworth told the House the legislation would empower her to determine that an application can be dealt with more quickly when there is a significant national negative impact on the road transport and it is in the public interest to act quickly.
When the minister makes such a declaration, they will have to consider the road transport objective in the Act, which requires it to balance "the interests of businesses and drivers with a focus on the sustainability of the sector".
"Once a determination is made, the Commission will be able to make contractual chain orders without the usual six-month minimum timeframe, so that truckies and small road transport businesses aren't left to worry about managing rising costs on their own."
She said the obligation for the tribunal to consult with parties and "step through its processes" will not change.
"It will still be up to the Commission, in consultation with affected parties, to determine the terms of the order, which must be limited to the issues that have triggered the minister's declaration."
She said that because the bill sets up "a new pathway to respond to issues urgently", orders made under the new provisions will apply for only six months.
"After this period, the normal mandatory timeframes will again apply to any ongoing applications made to the Commission."
Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026
Second reading speech by Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth, March 26, 2026
Explanatory memorandum
Home page - Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026
.svg)
.svg){kind=icon}