Hartsuyker Praises Petrol Price Cuts By Independents

October 30, 2008

Shadow Consumer Affairs Minister Luke Hartsuyker today (Thursday) praised the independent retailers in Sydney and Brisbane who cut their petrol prices to less than a dollar a litre in a protest against the big oil companies.  The independents say they are being squeezed out of the market by the bigger companies.  There were similar cuts in Sydney last week.

“Once again, the independents are acting on petrol prices while the Rudd Government persists with its futile FuelWatch scheme,” said Mr Hartsuyker.  "If FuelWatch were implemented across the nation, with its 24-hour price-fixing, independents would be fined for offering motorists special deals as they have done today and thousands of motorists would lose the chance of buying cheaper petrol.

 

“Also, evidence presented to the recent Senate inquiry showed that FuelWatch would drive independents out of the market, leading to less competition and higher prices.  It would put out of business the very people delivering cheaper petrol while the Rudd Government and its Petrol Commissioner sit back and do nothing.”

 

The FuelWatch legislation has yet to be debated in the Senate, where the Government needs the support of the Greens and the independent senators.  It was tabled for debate in the last sitting week but withdrawn on two occasions.   The scheme is due to be rolled out nationally on 15 December.

 

“The Rudd Government knows it can’t get the legislation passed and it knows the FuelWatch will lead to higher prices,” said Mr Hartsuyker.  “Kevin Rudd should admit he’s got it wrong and scrap FuelWatch.”

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