Page 2049 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 28 May 1991
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Soon, Mr Speaker, the Federal Government will consider the Wright caucus report into aspects of the Australian petroleum industry. Significantly, the report recommends structural reform across Australia under the Commonwealth Petroleum Retail Marketing Sites Act 1980. It is proposed to limit the number of service station sites that may be owned and operated by refiner-marketer oil companies to a percentage basis to maintain the numerical relativity between commission agent and company managed sites on the one hand and franchised and independently owned sites on the other.
The report also contains several other recommendations which directly relate to improving competition in Canberra, mainly, reducing the percentage of service stations owned and operated by oil companies; introducing a uniform licensing system for petroleum retailers to establish national standards for storage, transportation, handling and retailing; allowing franchisees to purchase petrol from other than the franchisors or brand companies; establishing a petroleum industry ombudsman; and creating a joint working party of the TPC, the PSA and Federal Consumer Affairs on the petroleum product pricing practices of the refiner-marketer oil companies.
Mr Speaker, the Alliance Government is watching with interest these moves aimed at structural reform. We recognise the desirability of solving ACT structural problems as part of a national blueprint for change. The Alliance Government will seek a permanent solution to this longstanding problem by taking appropriate action out of the Wright report and the TPC and PSA investigations. Such action, Mr Speaker, may involve an independent ACT inquiry under the Inquiries Act 1991 to examine the need for structural reform leading to more independent service station operators and other factors relating to petrol prices in Canberra, such as reforming freightage costing arrangements so that Canberra consumers no longer subsidise coastal cities through the 1.8c per litre oncost.
In conclusion, Mr Speaker, petrol pricing is an issue that the Alliance Government will not walk away from. This Government has succeeded in getting rid of high lead content petrol and will maintain the impetus under way through the range of actions I have outlined and the options listed. I invite other members of the Assembly to support the actions of the Alliance Government in addressing this important issue which affects all ACT residents. I present the following paper:
Petrol pricing - Ministerial statement, 28 May 1991.
I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
Debate (on motion by Mr Connolly) adjourned.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .