Page 1885 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 14 June 1994
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PUBLIC ACCOUNTS - STANDING COMMITTEE
Inquiry into Petrol Supply Arrangements
MR KAINE: Madam Speaker, I seek leave to make a statement regarding a new inquiry by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
Leave granted.
MR KAINE: I wish to inform the Assembly that on 23 May 1994 the Standing Committee on Public Accounts resolved to inquire into and report to the Assembly no later than 25 August 1994 on the impact on ACT revenues and expenditures of arrangements between the ACT Government and independent operators, with particular reference to Burmah Fuels; the impact of these arrangements on petrol pricing in the ACT; and any other related matters.
The committee decided to make this inquiry at its meeting on Monday, 23 May 1994. People in this chamber and outside it will be aware of events of recent weeks that have led to some instability in the market price of petrol in the ACT. This leaves some questions in people's minds about what is going on. The committee believes the issue to be a serious one which warrants careful attention by the committee and, after we table our report, by this Assembly. The inquiry fits into the terms of reference of the Public Accounts Committee because of the impact of the Burmah arrangements on the accounts of the Territory, that is to say, on government revenues.
The committee has placed advertisements in the local press calling for public comment to be received by the end of this week, that is 17 June, and at this stage the committee may hold public hearings in the second week of July, after the estimates and other processes are over. However, I imagine that members of the committee may be amenable to putting back those arrangements if more time is needed by persons or organisations to prepare detailed submissions. In this regard, I understand that the Government's submission is likely to be received by the committee by the end of next week, and I look forward to scrutinising that submission.
Madam Speaker, up until now I have been talking on behalf of all members of the committee; but I should add that, following the decision to initiate this inquiry, members turned their attention to whether it was prudent of the Government to release additional service station sites under concessional arrangements before the committee has reported to this Assembly on the matter. By majority decision, the committee resolved that I should write to the Attorney-General to advise that the committee considers that no additional service station sites should be released under concessional agreements before the committee so reports. I think that is a reasonable request to which the Attorney-General should give serious consideration. Madam Speaker, it may be that other members of the committee wish to comment on this inquiry, but I believe that it is incumbent upon me to inform the Assembly that we intend to undertake it.
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