9/9/02
The State Government is reconsidering its position on regional fuel price capping following the general lack of support during the public consultation process.
Consumer Protection Minister John Kobelke said 75 per cent of the responses to the public comment period were against the introduction of fuel price capping in regional areas.
The Gallop Government released a discussion paper in May to help determine the model to be used to introduce retail caps on regional fuel prices as part of the Government's commitment to reducing fuel prices for country motorists.
"There was a very poor turnout of consumers at the eight public forums held across the State - the most we got at any one meeting was eight in Albany," Mr Kobelke said.
"Most of the submissions and people at the forums were from the fuel industry."
Mr Kobelke accused the Opposition of 'wild misrepresentation' in the clearly misleading press release issued by Opposition deputy Liberal leader Dan Sullivan, dated September 9.
"Mr Sullivan's accusations against the Government range from the false to the ridiculous," the Minister said.
"Firstly, what Mr Sullivan claims is a 'leaked letter' has been available to everyone on the Fuelwatch website.
"It has been there for several weeks and is part of the wide consultation this Government has undertaken to discuss and receive feedback on options for the introduction of fuel price capping in country areas.
"The Deputy Liberal leader's claim that the ACCC's letter criticises the Government has more to do with its attack on the recommendations of the committee Mr Sullivan chaired.
"The ACCC's criticism of legislative bungling was that of the Court Government which left a loophole that the Gallop Government closed in August last year.
"The ACCC's criticism is that this Government accepted the Select Committee report on the Pricing of Petroleum Products. Professor Alan Fels's criticism is that the report had 'little analysis' to support some of its recommendations.
"It is twisting the facts to take the ACCC's criticism of the recommendations of Mr Sullivan's committee report as criticism of this Government, which is seeking to implement that report's findings.
"Mr Sullivan has called for the green fuel specifications put in place by the last Liberal Government to be scrapped.
"This would lower WA fuel quality to national standards.
"The national standards have no controls over methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) that could endanger our water supply.
"This at a time when we are experiencing water shortages!
"I wonder if Mr Sullivan has spoken to Opposition environment spokesperson Cheryl Edwardes and if she agrees with his claim that the Opposition wants our fuel specifications lowered?
"Given Professor Fels's view that the select committee report had done no serious analysis into the cause of higher fuel prices in country WA and the lack of public support for retail price capping during the recent public consultation, I will be looking again at what needs to be done to get a better deal for country motorists."
Minister's office: 9222 9211
