Kalgoorlie fuel distributors should pass on cheaper prices

Deputy Premier and Member for Kalgoorlie Ian Taylor says it is up to distributors to pass on cheaper fuel prices to Kalgoorlie consumers.

"Westrail has delivered in terms of lower fuel rates to Kalgoorlie-Boulder," Mr Taylor said.

"Now the ball is firmly in the court of the oil companies, fuel distributors and re-sellers to examine their pricing structures and amend them accordingly."

Mr Taylor said Kalgoorlie-Boulder's reputation as the regional centre with the highest fuel prices in Western Australia could now no longer be justified.

"The Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce is one of many representative bodies to have criticised Westrail over the years for its fuel freight policy and the fact that fuel shipments between Perth and Kalgoorlie were required to go by rail," he said.

"With deregulation that is no longer required and in addition, Westrail appears to have negotiated in good faith with the companies.

"I expect the Chamber will now lobby its members to have retail prices lowered in the light of the July 1 deregulation."

Mr Taylor said the question of fuel prices for the Goldfields was now out of the State Government's hands.

"The major oil company representatives have already stated that consumers would only see cheaper fuel prices if Westrail agreed to drop freight rates." (Kalgoorlie Miner June 22, 1992).

"Now that those cuts have been achieved, let us see the major companies returning some of the profits made from the Goldfields back to Kalgoorlie through lower petrol and diesel prices."