Liability for Climate Change Damage (Make Polluters Pay) Bill 2026

What the bill says it does

The purpose of this Act is to impose liability for climate change damage on certain major emitters of greenhouse gases.

Quoted from: Purpose clause of the bill as introduced. Not written or edited by FOCUp.

Official sources

• Parliament of Victoria: this bill
• Introduction print – Bill (DOCX)
• Introduction print – Bill (PDF)
• Introduction print – Explanatory Memorandum (DOCX)
• Introduction print – Explanatory Memorandum (PDF)

Timeline

1. First reading passed — Legislative Council

   9 Sept 2026

2. Second reading moved — Legislative Council

   23 Sept 2026

3. First reading: Statements of compatibility tabled — Legislative Council

   23 Sept 2026 · Source

4. Bill lapsed — Legislative Council

   3 Nov 2026

5. Status changed from Upper House to Lapsed

   Noticed by FOCUp 5 Nov 2026 · Source

   Lapsed

Election commitments on the same subject

Matched by shared budget line and wording. A match does not mean this bill delivers the commitment.

• Make big polluters fund climate disaster clean-up · Victorian Greens · 23 Sept 2026
• Legislate a climate change Duty of Care · Victorian Greens · 21 Oct 2026
• No change to age of criminal responsibility · Victorian Liberals and Nationals · 4 Sept 2026
• Make it easier to reuse · Victorian Greens · 12 Aug 2026
• Make it easier to sue social media and AI providers over child harm · Victorian Labor · 19 July 2026