The Senate today voted down a cost-of-living legislative amendment that opponents claimed would allow the Government to set price controls on certain items.

The Bill aimed at expanding the powers of the Cost of Living Commission was defeated when it came for a third reading in the Upper House.

Lindsay Simmons, the junior home affairs minister, presented the Bill for its third reading, moving that it pass.

However, objections were raised and the matter went to a vote.

All government senators voted to pass the Bill while the three opposition members voted against.

Joan Dillas-Wright, the Senate president, and John Wight, its vice-president — who are Governor-appointed senators — voted against the amendment, while Tawana Tannock, also an independent member, was recorded as absent at the time of the vote.

The Senate heard that with a tied vote, the motion was defeated, which meant the Bill failed to pass.

In July, the amendment made it through the House of Assembly but when it was taken to the Upper House later, opposition and independent senators voted against allowing it to progress to a third reading, pushing a final vote on the amendments to the sitting today.

The Cost of Living Amendment (No 2) Act 2026 would enable price-increase controls on essential commodities and allow for the designation, price-information monitoring and price sharing of critical services.

The Bill would also permit consultation and collaboration between the commission and other public authorities with responsibility for the regulation or consumer protection of commodities.

It drew criticism from businesses, which said the measures included were administratively burdensome and would present greater challenges for fresh, healthy goods, which can fluctuate in price rapidly based on international factors.

Zach Moniz, the manager of Lindo’s, warned that price controls could hamper the industry, increase shopping bills and reduce consumer choice.

He insisted that the industry was not consulted on the legislation or an earlier law change — the Cost of Living Amendment (No 1) Act — or related regulations requiring businesses to provide a monthly breakdown of how costs are set on essential items, while empowering the Minister of Home Affairs to intervene.

He told The Royal Gazette it involved inputting more than 20 data points on thousands of products that could lead to higher costs at the tills, as well as higher taxes as businesses and the Government carry out the work required.

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