Liquid Fuel Supply (Ethanol and Other Biofuels Mandate) Amendment Bill 2026

Introduced: 13/5/2026By: Mr S Knuth MPStatus: Referred to Committee

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Plain English Summary

Overview

This bill strengthens Queensland's ethanol and biofuels mandate by setting enforceable minimum biofuel content levels for petrol and diesel, increasing penalties for non-compliance, and requiring E10 octane ratings to be displayed at fuel pumps. It responds to concerns that the existing mandate has not been effectively enforced due to broad exemptions and loopholes.

Who it affects

Motorists will get clearer fuel labelling and guaranteed minimum ethanol content in E10. Fuel retailers and wholesalers face stricter compliance requirements and higher penalties. Queensland biofuel producers stand to benefit from increased demand.

Key changes

E10 fuel must contain at least 9% ethanol by volume, up from the current effective levels under the 4% mandate framework
All other petrol blends must contain at least 1% ethanol and diesel blends at least 2% biodiesel
Maximum penalties increase to 400 penalty units for a first offence and 4,000 penalty units for repeat offences
Fuel sellers can no longer rely on claiming ignorance as a defence — they must prove they had active compliance systems in place
Service stations must display the octane rating of E10 on fuel pumps so drivers can see it before and during fuelling

How this affects you

Environment

•Fuel sold in Queensland must contain minimum levels of biofuel, increasing the use of renewable ethanol and biodiesel in transport fuelsClause 7 (new sections 35DB and 35DC)E10 must contain at least 9% ethanol by volume; diesel blends must contain at least 2% biodiesel by volume.
•Stronger enforcement and higher penalties aim to ensure the biofuels mandate delivers genuine biofuel uptake rather than nominal complianceClauses 5 and 6Maximum penalties increased to 400 penalty units (first offence) and 4,000 penalty units (repeat offence).

Business & Economy

•Fuel retailers and wholesalers must meet new minimum biofuel content requirements and maintain documented compliance systems or face penalties of up to 4,000 penalty units for repeat offencesClauses 5, 6, and 7New due diligence defence requires compliance systems, training, testing, and records.
•The mandate now covers wholesaler-to-wholesaler fuel sales, closing a loophole that previously allowed some businesses to avoid biofuel blending requirementsClause 4Section 35A amended to apply to fuel wholesaler transactions with other fuel wholesalers.

Bill Story

The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.

▸Introduced13 May 2026View Hansard

4.00 pmMr KNUTHSupports

As the bill's sponsor, introduced the bill to strengthen and enforce Queensland's biofuel mandate, setting minimum ethanol content for E10 at 9 per cent and biodiesel in diesel at 2 per cent, arguing it secures Queensland's fuel future and supports regional jobs and the biofuels industry.

“The bill is about one thing: securing Queensland's fuel future. It amends the Liquid Fuel Supply Act 1984 to establish clear, enforceable minimum biofuel content requirements across all fuel types.”— 2026-05-13View Hansard

First Reading13 May 2026View Hansard

▸Committee13 May 2026View Hansard

Referred to Governance, Energy and Finance Committee

Governance, Energy and Finance Committeeportfolio

6 members

Committee Findings

The Liquid Fuel Supply (Ethanol and Other Biofuels Mandate) Amendment Bill 2026 was referred to the Governance, Energy and Finance Committee on 13 May 2026. The committee's inquiry is still under way and it has not yet tabled a report. No findings or recommendations are available at this stage.

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