❓ Mr Barron-Sullivan questions Premier Gallop on conflicting statements regarding the impact of 50-50 fuel supply legislation on petrol prices. Gallop defends the legislation as part of a broader strategy to lower prices, criticising the previous government's inaction.
AnsweredQoN 55Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PETROL PRICES, 50-50 LEGISLATION
I refer to the Government’s proposed 50-50 fuel supply legislation and the widespread community concern over fuel prices, and ask - (1) Is the Premier aware that the Minister for Consumer Affairs said during debate in Parliament yesterday that 50-50 legislation would not make a huge difference? (2) Does the Premier recall an article in The West Australian of 25 January which reported his saying that 50-50 legislation would increase competition and “would produce significant cuts in petrol prices”? (3) Who is right? Dr GALLOP
I refer to the Government’s proposed 50-50 fuel supply legislation and the widespread community concern over fuel prices, and ask - (1) Is the Premier aware that the Minister for Consumer Affairs said during debate in Parliament yesterday that 50-50 legislation would not make a huge difference? (2) Does the Premier recall an article in The West Australian of 25 January which reported his saying that 50-50 legislation would increase competition and “would produce significant cuts in petrol prices”? (3) Who is right? Dr GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I know exactly what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said about this matter, and he said it again on the radio this morning; that is, following the recommendations of the parliamentary Select Committee on Petroleum Products Pricing in Western Australia, the 50-50 amendments have to be made in this Parliament. In themselves they will not make a huge difference, but they are part of a package of measures that will make a difference. That is precisely what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said and that is precisely the situation. It is strange that the chairman of that committee raised the question, when that was the very import of his own report to the Parliament last year. No doubt that is one of a number of measures that the Government is taking to put downward pressure on prices. We have a very difficult job in front of us but, unlike the previous Government, we are not squibbing it. We are working hard to find out how to set the wholesale price cap so that it can be effective. The previous Government made no effort in that area. It is a difficult task but we are proceeding to develop it. As the minister said on radio this morning, we will increase the penalties associated with a breach of those regulations. We will increase transparency by requiring the wholesale price to be declared and we will toughen up the 50-50 legislation to ensure competition. Mr Speaker, members should be under no illusion: we have set a tough agenda for ourselves. However, we will proceed to do what we said in the election campaign we would do, unlike members opposite who, at the first whiff of grapeshot, went back to their quarters and put up the white flag to the multinational oil companies. This Government is fighting on behalf of Western Australian consumers. It is not easy and many steps must be taken; however, we are doing it. I applaud the Minister for Consumer Affairs for the frankness he has shown to the public about the difficulties of this issue; more importantly, for the commitment he has shown on behalf of the people of Western Australia to improve the situation.
(1) Is the Premier aware that the Minister for Consumer Affairs said during debate in Parliament yesterday that 50-50 legislation would not make a huge difference? (2) Does the Premier recall an article in The West Australian of 25 January which reported his saying that 50-50 legislation would increase competition and “would produce significant cuts in petrol prices”? (3) Who is right? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I know exactly what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said about this matter, and he said it again on the radio this morning; that is, following the recommendations of the parliamentary Select Committee on Petroleum Products Pricing in Western Australia, the 50-50 amendments have to be made in this Parliament. In themselves they will not make a huge difference, but they are part of a package of measures that will make a difference. That is precisely what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said and that is precisely the situation. It is strange that the chairman of that committee raised the question, when that was the very import of his own report to the Parliament last year. No doubt that is one of a number of measures that the Government is taking to put downward pressure on prices. We have a very difficult job in front of us but, unlike the previous Government, we are not squibbing it. We are working hard to find out how to set the wholesale price cap so that it can be effective. The previous Government made no effort in that area. It is a difficult task but we are proceeding to develop it. As the minister said on radio this morning, we will increase the penalties associated with a breach of those regulations. We will increase transparency by requiring the wholesale price to be declared and we will toughen up the 50-50 legislation to ensure competition. Mr Speaker, members should be under no illusion: we have set a tough agenda for ourselves. However, we will proceed to do what we said in the election campaign we would do, unlike members opposite who, at the first whiff of grapeshot, went back to their quarters and put up the white flag to the multinational oil companies. This Government is fighting on behalf of Western Australian consumers. It is not easy and many steps must be taken; however, we are doing it. I applaud the Minister for Consumer Affairs for the frankness he has shown to the public about the difficulties of this issue; more importantly, for the commitment he has shown on behalf of the people of Western Australia to improve the situation.
(2) Does the Premier recall an article in The West Australian of 25 January which reported his saying that 50-50 legislation would increase competition and “would produce significant cuts in petrol prices”? (3) Who is right? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I know exactly what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said about this matter, and he said it again on the radio this morning; that is, following the recommendations of the parliamentary Select Committee on Petroleum Products Pricing in Western Australia, the 50-50 amendments have to be made in this Parliament. In themselves they will not make a huge difference, but they are part of a package of measures that will make a difference. That is precisely what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said and that is precisely the situation. It is strange that the chairman of that committee raised the question, when that was the very import of his own report to the Parliament last year. No doubt that is one of a number of measures that the Government is taking to put downward pressure on prices. We have a very difficult job in front of us but, unlike the previous Government, we are not squibbing it. We are working hard to find out how to set the wholesale price cap so that it can be effective. The previous Government made no effort in that area. It is a difficult task but we are proceeding to develop it. As the minister said on radio this morning, we will increase the penalties associated with a breach of those regulations. We will increase transparency by requiring the wholesale price to be declared and we will toughen up the 50-50 legislation to ensure competition. Mr Speaker, members should be under no illusion: we have set a tough agenda for ourselves. However, we will proceed to do what we said in the election campaign we would do, unlike members opposite who, at the first whiff of grapeshot, went back to their quarters and put up the white flag to the multinational oil companies. This Government is fighting on behalf of Western Australian consumers. It is not easy and many steps must be taken; however, we are doing it. I applaud the Minister for Consumer Affairs for the frankness he has shown to the public about the difficulties of this issue; more importantly, for the commitment he has shown on behalf of the people of Western Australia to improve the situation.
(3) Who is right? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I know exactly what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said about this matter, and he said it again on the radio this morning; that is, following the recommendations of the parliamentary Select Committee on Petroleum Products Pricing in Western Australia, the 50-50 amendments have to be made in this Parliament. In themselves they will not make a huge difference, but they are part of a package of measures that will make a difference. That is precisely what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said and that is precisely the situation. It is strange that the chairman of that committee raised the question, when that was the very import of his own report to the Parliament last year. No doubt that is one of a number of measures that the Government is taking to put downward pressure on prices. We have a very difficult job in front of us but, unlike the previous Government, we are not squibbing it. We are working hard to find out how to set the wholesale price cap so that it can be effective. The previous Government made no effort in that area. It is a difficult task but we are proceeding to develop it. As the minister said on radio this morning, we will increase the penalties associated with a breach of those regulations. We will increase transparency by requiring the wholesale price to be declared and we will toughen up the 50-50 legislation to ensure competition. Mr Speaker, members should be under no illusion: we have set a tough agenda for ourselves. However, we will proceed to do what we said in the election campaign we would do, unlike members opposite who, at the first whiff of grapeshot, went back to their quarters and put up the white flag to the multinational oil companies. This Government is fighting on behalf of Western Australian consumers. It is not easy and many steps must be taken; however, we are doing it. I applaud the Minister for Consumer Affairs for the frankness he has shown to the public about the difficulties of this issue; more importantly, for the commitment he has shown on behalf of the people of Western Australia to improve the situation.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I know exactly what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said about this matter, and he said it again on the radio this morning; that is, following the recommendations of the parliamentary Select Committee on Petroleum Products Pricing in Western Australia, the 50-50 amendments have to be made in this Parliament. In themselves they will not make a huge difference, but they are part of a package of measures that will make a difference. That is precisely what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said and that is precisely the situation. It is strange that the chairman of that committee raised the question, when that was the very import of his own report to the Parliament last year. No doubt that is one of a number of measures that the Government is taking to put downward pressure on prices. We have a very difficult job in front of us but, unlike the previous Government, we are not squibbing it. We are working hard to find out how to set the wholesale price cap so that it can be effective. The previous Government made no effort in that area. It is a difficult task but we are proceeding to develop it. As the minister said on radio this morning, we will increase the penalties associated with a breach of those regulations. We will increase transparency by requiring the wholesale price to be declared and we will toughen up the 50-50 legislation to ensure competition. Mr Speaker, members should be under no illusion: we have set a tough agenda for ourselves. However, we will proceed to do what we said in the election campaign we would do, unlike members opposite who, at the first whiff of grapeshot, went back to their quarters and put up the white flag to the multinational oil companies. This Government is fighting on behalf of Western Australian consumers. It is not easy and many steps must be taken; however, we are doing it. I applaud the Minister for Consumer Affairs for the frankness he has shown to the public about the difficulties of this issue; more importantly, for the commitment he has shown on behalf of the people of Western Australia to improve the situation.
(1)-(3) I know exactly what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said about this matter, and he said it again on the radio this morning; that is, following the recommendations of the parliamentary Select Committee on Petroleum Products Pricing in Western Australia, the 50-50 amendments have to be made in this Parliament. In themselves they will not make a huge difference, but they are part of a package of measures that will make a difference. That is precisely what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said and that is precisely the situation. It is strange that the chairman of that committee raised the question, when that was the very import of his own report to the Parliament last year. No doubt that is one of a number of measures that the Government is taking to put downward pressure on prices. We have a very difficult job in front of us but, unlike the previous Government, we are not squibbing it. We are working hard to find out how to set the wholesale price cap so that it can be effective. The previous Government made no effort in that area. It is a difficult task but we are proceeding to develop it. As the minister said on radio this morning, we will increase the penalties associated with a breach of those regulations. We will increase transparency by requiring the wholesale price to be declared and we will toughen up the 50-50 legislation to ensure competition. Mr Speaker, members should be under no illusion: we have set a tough agenda for ourselves. However, we will proceed to do what we said in the election campaign we would do, unlike members opposite who, at the first whiff of grapeshot, went back to their quarters and put up the white flag to the multinational oil companies. This Government is fighting on behalf of Western Australian consumers. It is not easy and many steps must be taken; however, we are doing it. I applaud the Minister for Consumer Affairs for the frankness he has shown to the public about the difficulties of this issue; more importantly, for the commitment he has shown on behalf of the people of Western Australia to improve the situation.
(1) Is the Premier aware that the Minister for Consumer Affairs said during debate in Parliament yesterday that 50-50 legislation would not make a huge difference? (2) Does the Premier recall an article in The West Australian of 25 January which reported his saying that 50-50 legislation would increase competition and “would produce significant cuts in petrol prices”? (3) Who is right? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I know exactly what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said about this matter, and he said it again on the radio this morning; that is, following the recommendations of the parliamentary Select Committee on Petroleum Products Pricing in Western Australia, the 50-50 amendments have to be made in this Parliament. In themselves they will not make a huge difference, but they are part of a package of measures that will make a difference. That is precisely what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said and that is precisely the situation. It is strange that the chairman of that committee raised the question, when that was the very import of his own report to the Parliament last year. No doubt that is one of a number of measures that the Government is taking to put downward pressure on prices. We have a very difficult job in front of us but, unlike the previous Government, we are not squibbing it. We are working hard to find out how to set the wholesale price cap so that it can be effective. The previous Government made no effort in that area. It is a difficult task but we are proceeding to develop it. As the minister said on radio this morning, we will increase the penalties associated with a breach of those regulations. We will increase transparency by requiring the wholesale price to be declared and we will toughen up the 50-50 legislation to ensure competition. Mr Speaker, members should be under no illusion: we have set a tough agenda for ourselves. However, we will proceed to do what we said in the election campaign we would do, unlike members opposite who, at the first whiff of grapeshot, went back to their quarters and put up the white flag to the multinational oil companies. This Government is fighting on behalf of Western Australian consumers. It is not easy and many steps must be taken; however, we are doing it. I applaud the Minister for Consumer Affairs for the frankness he has shown to the public about the difficulties of this issue; more importantly, for the commitment he has shown on behalf of the people of Western Australia to improve the situation.
(2) Does the Premier recall an article in The West Australian of 25 January which reported his saying that 50-50 legislation would increase competition and “would produce significant cuts in petrol prices”? (3) Who is right? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I know exactly what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said about this matter, and he said it again on the radio this morning; that is, following the recommendations of the parliamentary Select Committee on Petroleum Products Pricing in Western Australia, the 50-50 amendments have to be made in this Parliament. In themselves they will not make a huge difference, but they are part of a package of measures that will make a difference. That is precisely what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said and that is precisely the situation. It is strange that the chairman of that committee raised the question, when that was the very import of his own report to the Parliament last year. No doubt that is one of a number of measures that the Government is taking to put downward pressure on prices. We have a very difficult job in front of us but, unlike the previous Government, we are not squibbing it. We are working hard to find out how to set the wholesale price cap so that it can be effective. The previous Government made no effort in that area. It is a difficult task but we are proceeding to develop it. As the minister said on radio this morning, we will increase the penalties associated with a breach of those regulations. We will increase transparency by requiring the wholesale price to be declared and we will toughen up the 50-50 legislation to ensure competition. Mr Speaker, members should be under no illusion: we have set a tough agenda for ourselves. However, we will proceed to do what we said in the election campaign we would do, unlike members opposite who, at the first whiff of grapeshot, went back to their quarters and put up the white flag to the multinational oil companies. This Government is fighting on behalf of Western Australian consumers. It is not easy and many steps must be taken; however, we are doing it. I applaud the Minister for Consumer Affairs for the frankness he has shown to the public about the difficulties of this issue; more importantly, for the commitment he has shown on behalf of the people of Western Australia to improve the situation.
(3) Who is right? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I know exactly what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said about this matter, and he said it again on the radio this morning; that is, following the recommendations of the parliamentary Select Committee on Petroleum Products Pricing in Western Australia, the 50-50 amendments have to be made in this Parliament. In themselves they will not make a huge difference, but they are part of a package of measures that will make a difference. That is precisely what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said and that is precisely the situation. It is strange that the chairman of that committee raised the question, when that was the very import of his own report to the Parliament last year. No doubt that is one of a number of measures that the Government is taking to put downward pressure on prices. We have a very difficult job in front of us but, unlike the previous Government, we are not squibbing it. We are working hard to find out how to set the wholesale price cap so that it can be effective. The previous Government made no effort in that area. It is a difficult task but we are proceeding to develop it. As the minister said on radio this morning, we will increase the penalties associated with a breach of those regulations. We will increase transparency by requiring the wholesale price to be declared and we will toughen up the 50-50 legislation to ensure competition. Mr Speaker, members should be under no illusion: we have set a tough agenda for ourselves. However, we will proceed to do what we said in the election campaign we would do, unlike members opposite who, at the first whiff of grapeshot, went back to their quarters and put up the white flag to the multinational oil companies. This Government is fighting on behalf of Western Australian consumers. It is not easy and many steps must be taken; however, we are doing it. I applaud the Minister for Consumer Affairs for the frankness he has shown to the public about the difficulties of this issue; more importantly, for the commitment he has shown on behalf of the people of Western Australia to improve the situation.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I know exactly what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said about this matter, and he said it again on the radio this morning; that is, following the recommendations of the parliamentary Select Committee on Petroleum Products Pricing in Western Australia, the 50-50 amendments have to be made in this Parliament. In themselves they will not make a huge difference, but they are part of a package of measures that will make a difference. That is precisely what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said and that is precisely the situation. It is strange that the chairman of that committee raised the question, when that was the very import of his own report to the Parliament last year. No doubt that is one of a number of measures that the Government is taking to put downward pressure on prices. We have a very difficult job in front of us but, unlike the previous Government, we are not squibbing it. We are working hard to find out how to set the wholesale price cap so that it can be effective. The previous Government made no effort in that area. It is a difficult task but we are proceeding to develop it. As the minister said on radio this morning, we will increase the penalties associated with a breach of those regulations. We will increase transparency by requiring the wholesale price to be declared and we will toughen up the 50-50 legislation to ensure competition. Mr Speaker, members should be under no illusion: we have set a tough agenda for ourselves. However, we will proceed to do what we said in the election campaign we would do, unlike members opposite who, at the first whiff of grapeshot, went back to their quarters and put up the white flag to the multinational oil companies. This Government is fighting on behalf of Western Australian consumers. It is not easy and many steps must be taken; however, we are doing it. I applaud the Minister for Consumer Affairs for the frankness he has shown to the public about the difficulties of this issue; more importantly, for the commitment he has shown on behalf of the people of Western Australia to improve the situation.
(1)-(3) I know exactly what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said about this matter, and he said it again on the radio this morning; that is, following the recommendations of the parliamentary Select Committee on Petroleum Products Pricing in Western Australia, the 50-50 amendments have to be made in this Parliament. In themselves they will not make a huge difference, but they are part of a package of measures that will make a difference. That is precisely what the Minister for Consumer Affairs said and that is precisely the situation. It is strange that the chairman of that committee raised the question, when that was the very import of his own report to the Parliament last year. No doubt that is one of a number of measures that the Government is taking to put downward pressure on prices. We have a very difficult job in front of us but, unlike the previous Government, we are not squibbing it. We are working hard to find out how to set the wholesale price cap so that it can be effective. The previous Government made no effort in that area. It is a difficult task but we are proceeding to develop it. As the minister said on radio this morning, we will increase the penalties associated with a breach of those regulations. We will increase transparency by requiring the wholesale price to be declared and we will toughen up the 50-50 legislation to ensure competition. Mr Speaker, members should be under no illusion: we have set a tough agenda for ourselves. However, we will proceed to do what we said in the election campaign we would do, unlike members opposite who, at the first whiff of grapeshot, went back to their quarters and put up the white flag to the multinational oil companies. This Government is fighting on behalf of Western Australian consumers. It is not easy and many steps must be taken; however, we are doing it. I applaud the Minister for Consumer Affairs for the frankness he has shown to the public about the difficulties of this issue; more importantly, for the commitment he has shown on behalf of the people of Western Australia to improve the situation.
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