❓ The question concerns the impact of the maximum wholesale fuel price on country residents and the role of fuel companies in the price increase. The Minister defends the government's approach, highlighting past actions of the National Party and outlining a phased implementation plan.
AnsweredQoN 279Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
UNLEADED FUEL, MAXIMUM WHOLESALE PRICE
With reference to the minister’s statement on the maximum wholesale price for unleaded fuel in the metropolitan area, and given his statement in this House on 2 May that the introduction of a maximum wholesale regime is providing an anchor for future pricing initiatives of the Government, I ask - (1) Why does the ministerial statement discourage country people from purchasing fuel? (2) What role did fuel companies play in convincing the minister to increase the maximum price by 3.67c a litre? (3) Will the minister table the review that led to this decision? Mr KOBELKE
With reference to the minister’s statement on the maximum wholesale price for unleaded fuel in the metropolitan area, and given his statement in this House on 2 May that the introduction of a maximum wholesale regime is providing an anchor for future pricing initiatives of the Government, I ask - (1) Why does the ministerial statement discourage country people from purchasing fuel? (2) What role did fuel companies play in convincing the minister to increase the maximum price by 3.67c a litre? (3) Will the minister table the review that led to this decision? Mr KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I remind the House that it was the National Party, in coalition with the Liberals, who removed price control for rural Western Australia - that was its interest in looking after country motorists in Western Australia! The coalition removed the controls that were put in place by the Labor Government in the 1980s. What did the National Party do to look after rural motorists in its eight years in a coalition Government? Nothing at all. When the pressure was applied during the lead-up to the election, the National Party suddenly decided that it was an issue worth thinking about. However, when the oil companies said ‘boo’, the National Party hid under the table - it went to water! Now that the Gallop Government has started to deliver on its promise to look after fuel prices, the National Party is attacking us. The Government is being attacked because it is leading Australia in taking the issue of fuel pricing seriously. People who come to Perth from other States are saying that the Gallop Government in Western Australia is leading the nation in its attempt to ensure that fuel is available to motorists at a decent price. This Government is taking up the challenge. The Leader of the National Party does not want to recognise that, to some extent, as this Government leads Australia in its attempt to gain a win over the multinational oil companies, it is also leading the world. If the Leader of the Opposition, or any member opposite, tries to suggest that everything the Government does should be successful instantaneously, then they are totally disregarding what this Government has already achieved, and what it continues to achieve. The Government recognises that country motorists find the differential between prices in rural Western Australia and in Perth totally unacceptable. However, the Government is seeking to implement a whole program that was largely laid down by the select committee and that is based on establishing a maximum wholesale price. The difficulty was that fuel was not available at the maximum wholesale price. The Government sought to prosecute, but for a range of reasons - I am happy to go through them at another stage - the Government could not get a successful prosecution. However, one factor that contributed to that was the defence used by oil companies that the maximum wholesale price was below their cost of production. That defence may be arguable in court, but I do not believe that the companies would be able to get away with that defence in court. After a thorough review, and after talking to all parties, the Government lifted that maximum wholesale price to a point at which I am now confident that that defence will not stand up in court. Now we clearly expect fuel to be available at the maximum wholesale price in the metropolitan area. If that is not the case, the Government will certainly pursue prosecution if people come forward. The Leader of the National Party raised the issue, quite rightly, that, for the moment, that does not deliver for country people. However, he should be objective about the difficult job that the Government has to do, and what it is trying to do. The Government will not take on the oil companies on every front at once. It is very important to get it working in the metropolitan area, and to then implement that policy in regional centres. Following that, the Government will put in place a cap on retail prices to the benefit of motorists in rural, and regional Western Australia.
(1) Why does the ministerial statement discourage country people from purchasing fuel? (2) What role did fuel companies play in convincing the minister to increase the maximum price by 3.67c a litre? (3) Will the minister table the review that led to this decision? Mr KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I remind the House that it was the National Party, in coalition with the Liberals, who removed price control for rural Western Australia - that was its interest in looking after country motorists in Western Australia! The coalition removed the controls that were put in place by the Labor Government in the 1980s. What did the National Party do to look after rural motorists in its eight years in a coalition Government? Nothing at all. When the pressure was applied during the lead-up to the election, the National Party suddenly decided that it was an issue worth thinking about. However, when the oil companies said ‘boo’, the National Party hid under the table - it went to water! Now that the Gallop Government has started to deliver on its promise to look after fuel prices, the National Party is attacking us. The Government is being attacked because it is leading Australia in taking the issue of fuel pricing seriously. People who come to Perth from other States are saying that the Gallop Government in Western Australia is leading the nation in its attempt to ensure that fuel is available to motorists at a decent price. This Government is taking up the challenge. The Leader of the National Party does not want to recognise that, to some extent, as this Government leads Australia in its attempt to gain a win over the multinational oil companies, it is also leading the world. If the Leader of the Opposition, or any member opposite, tries to suggest that everything the Government does should be successful instantaneously, then they are totally disregarding what this Government has already achieved, and what it continues to achieve. The Government recognises that country motorists find the differential between prices in rural Western Australia and in Perth totally unacceptable. However, the Government is seeking to implement a whole program that was largely laid down by the select committee and that is based on establishing a maximum wholesale price. The difficulty was that fuel was not available at the maximum wholesale price. The Government sought to prosecute, but for a range of reasons - I am happy to go through them at another stage - the Government could not get a successful prosecution. However, one factor that contributed to that was the defence used by oil companies that the maximum wholesale price was below their cost of production. That defence may be arguable in court, but I do not believe that the companies would be able to get away with that defence in court. After a thorough review, and after talking to all parties, the Government lifted that maximum wholesale price to a point at which I am now confident that that defence will not stand up in court. Now we clearly expect fuel to be available at the maximum wholesale price in the metropolitan area. If that is not the case, the Government will certainly pursue prosecution if people come forward. The Leader of the National Party raised the issue, quite rightly, that, for the moment, that does not deliver for country people. However, he should be objective about the difficult job that the Government has to do, and what it is trying to do. The Government will not take on the oil companies on every front at once. It is very important to get it working in the metropolitan area, and to then implement that policy in regional centres. Following that, the Government will put in place a cap on retail prices to the benefit of motorists in rural, and regional Western Australia.
(2) What role did fuel companies play in convincing the minister to increase the maximum price by 3.67c a litre? (3) Will the minister table the review that led to this decision? Mr KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I remind the House that it was the National Party, in coalition with the Liberals, who removed price control for rural Western Australia - that was its interest in looking after country motorists in Western Australia! The coalition removed the controls that were put in place by the Labor Government in the 1980s. What did the National Party do to look after rural motorists in its eight years in a coalition Government? Nothing at all. When the pressure was applied during the lead-up to the election, the National Party suddenly decided that it was an issue worth thinking about. However, when the oil companies said ‘boo’, the National Party hid under the table - it went to water! Now that the Gallop Government has started to deliver on its promise to look after fuel prices, the National Party is attacking us. The Government is being attacked because it is leading Australia in taking the issue of fuel pricing seriously. People who come to Perth from other States are saying that the Gallop Government in Western Australia is leading the nation in its attempt to ensure that fuel is available to motorists at a decent price. This Government is taking up the challenge. The Leader of the National Party does not want to recognise that, to some extent, as this Government leads Australia in its attempt to gain a win over the multinational oil companies, it is also leading the world. If the Leader of the Opposition, or any member opposite, tries to suggest that everything the Government does should be successful instantaneously, then they are totally disregarding what this Government has already achieved, and what it continues to achieve. The Government recognises that country motorists find the differential between prices in rural Western Australia and in Perth totally unacceptable. However, the Government is seeking to implement a whole program that was largely laid down by the select committee and that is based on establishing a maximum wholesale price. The difficulty was that fuel was not available at the maximum wholesale price. The Government sought to prosecute, but for a range of reasons - I am happy to go through them at another stage - the Government could not get a successful prosecution. However, one factor that contributed to that was the defence used by oil companies that the maximum wholesale price was below their cost of production. That defence may be arguable in court, but I do not believe that the companies would be able to get away with that defence in court. After a thorough review, and after talking to all parties, the Government lifted that maximum wholesale price to a point at which I am now confident that that defence will not stand up in court. Now we clearly expect fuel to be available at the maximum wholesale price in the metropolitan area. If that is not the case, the Government will certainly pursue prosecution if people come forward. The Leader of the National Party raised the issue, quite rightly, that, for the moment, that does not deliver for country people. However, he should be objective about the difficult job that the Government has to do, and what it is trying to do. The Government will not take on the oil companies on every front at once. It is very important to get it working in the metropolitan area, and to then implement that policy in regional centres. Following that, the Government will put in place a cap on retail prices to the benefit of motorists in rural, and regional Western Australia.
(3) Will the minister table the review that led to this decision? Mr KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I remind the House that it was the National Party, in coalition with the Liberals, who removed price control for rural Western Australia - that was its interest in looking after country motorists in Western Australia! The coalition removed the controls that were put in place by the Labor Government in the 1980s. What did the National Party do to look after rural motorists in its eight years in a coalition Government? Nothing at all. When the pressure was applied during the lead-up to the election, the National Party suddenly decided that it was an issue worth thinking about. However, when the oil companies said ‘boo’, the National Party hid under the table - it went to water! Now that the Gallop Government has started to deliver on its promise to look after fuel prices, the National Party is attacking us. The Government is being attacked because it is leading Australia in taking the issue of fuel pricing seriously. People who come to Perth from other States are saying that the Gallop Government in Western Australia is leading the nation in its attempt to ensure that fuel is available to motorists at a decent price. This Government is taking up the challenge. The Leader of the National Party does not want to recognise that, to some extent, as this Government leads Australia in its attempt to gain a win over the multinational oil companies, it is also leading the world. If the Leader of the Opposition, or any member opposite, tries to suggest that everything the Government does should be successful instantaneously, then they are totally disregarding what this Government has already achieved, and what it continues to achieve. The Government recognises that country motorists find the differential between prices in rural Western Australia and in Perth totally unacceptable. However, the Government is seeking to implement a whole program that was largely laid down by the select committee and that is based on establishing a maximum wholesale price. The difficulty was that fuel was not available at the maximum wholesale price. The Government sought to prosecute, but for a range of reasons - I am happy to go through them at another stage - the Government could not get a successful prosecution. However, one factor that contributed to that was the defence used by oil companies that the maximum wholesale price was below their cost of production. That defence may be arguable in court, but I do not believe that the companies would be able to get away with that defence in court. After a thorough review, and after talking to all parties, the Government lifted that maximum wholesale price to a point at which I am now confident that that defence will not stand up in court. Now we clearly expect fuel to be available at the maximum wholesale price in the metropolitan area. If that is not the case, the Government will certainly pursue prosecution if people come forward. The Leader of the National Party raised the issue, quite rightly, that, for the moment, that does not deliver for country people. However, he should be objective about the difficult job that the Government has to do, and what it is trying to do. The Government will not take on the oil companies on every front at once. It is very important to get it working in the metropolitan area, and to then implement that policy in regional centres. Following that, the Government will put in place a cap on retail prices to the benefit of motorists in rural, and regional Western Australia.
Mr KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I remind the House that it was the National Party, in coalition with the Liberals, who removed price control for rural Western Australia - that was its interest in looking after country motorists in Western Australia! The coalition removed the controls that were put in place by the Labor Government in the 1980s. What did the National Party do to look after rural motorists in its eight years in a coalition Government? Nothing at all. When the pressure was applied during the lead-up to the election, the National Party suddenly decided that it was an issue worth thinking about. However, when the oil companies said ‘boo’, the National Party hid under the table - it went to water! Now that the Gallop Government has started to deliver on its promise to look after fuel prices, the National Party is attacking us. The Government is being attacked because it is leading Australia in taking the issue of fuel pricing seriously. People who come to Perth from other States are saying that the Gallop Government in Western Australia is leading the nation in its attempt to ensure that fuel is available to motorists at a decent price. This Government is taking up the challenge. The Leader of the National Party does not want to recognise that, to some extent, as this Government leads Australia in its attempt to gain a win over the multinational oil companies, it is also leading the world. If the Leader of the Opposition, or any member opposite, tries to suggest that everything the Government does should be successful instantaneously, then they are totally disregarding what this Government has already achieved, and what it continues to achieve. The Government recognises that country motorists find the differential between prices in rural Western Australia and in Perth totally unacceptable. However, the Government is seeking to implement a whole program that was largely laid down by the select committee and that is based on establishing a maximum wholesale price. The difficulty was that fuel was not available at the maximum wholesale price. The Government sought to prosecute, but for a range of reasons - I am happy to go through them at another stage - the Government could not get a successful prosecution. However, one factor that contributed to that was the defence used by oil companies that the maximum wholesale price was below their cost of production. That defence may be arguable in court, but I do not believe that the companies would be able to get away with that defence in court. After a thorough review, and after talking to all parties, the Government lifted that maximum wholesale price to a point at which I am now confident that that defence will not stand up in court. Now we clearly expect fuel to be available at the maximum wholesale price in the metropolitan area. If that is not the case, the Government will certainly pursue prosecution if people come forward. The Leader of the National Party raised the issue, quite rightly, that, for the moment, that does not deliver for country people. However, he should be objective about the difficult job that the Government has to do, and what it is trying to do. The Government will not take on the oil companies on every front at once. It is very important to get it working in the metropolitan area, and to then implement that policy in regional centres. Following that, the Government will put in place a cap on retail prices to the benefit of motorists in rural, and regional Western Australia.
(1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I remind the House that it was the National Party, in coalition with the Liberals, who removed price control for rural Western Australia - that was its interest in looking after country motorists in Western Australia! The coalition removed the controls that were put in place by the Labor Government in the 1980s. What did the National Party do to look after rural motorists in its eight years in a coalition Government? Nothing at all. When the pressure was applied during the lead-up to the election, the National Party suddenly decided that it was an issue worth thinking about. However, when the oil companies said ‘boo’, the National Party hid under the table - it went to water! Now that the Gallop Government has started to deliver on its promise to look after fuel prices, the National Party is attacking us. The Government is being attacked because it is leading Australia in taking the issue of fuel pricing seriously. People who come to Perth from other States are saying that the Gallop Government in Western Australia is leading the nation in its attempt to ensure that fuel is available to motorists at a decent price. This Government is taking up the challenge. The Leader of the National Party does not want to recognise that, to some extent, as this Government leads Australia in its attempt to gain a win over the multinational oil companies, it is also leading the world. If the Leader of the Opposition, or any member opposite, tries to suggest that everything the Government does should be successful instantaneously, then they are totally disregarding what this Government has already achieved, and what it continues to achieve. The Government recognises that country motorists find the differential between prices in rural Western Australia and in Perth totally unacceptable. However, the Government is seeking to implement a whole program that was largely laid down by the select committee and that is based on establishing a maximum wholesale price. The difficulty was that fuel was not available at the maximum wholesale price. The Government sought to prosecute, but for a range of reasons - I am happy to go through them at another stage - the Government could not get a successful prosecution. However, one factor that contributed to that was the defence used by oil companies that the maximum wholesale price was below their cost of production. That defence may be arguable in court, but I do not believe that the companies would be able to get away with that defence in court. After a thorough review, and after talking to all parties, the Government lifted that maximum wholesale price to a point at which I am now confident that that defence will not stand up in court. Now we clearly expect fuel to be available at the maximum wholesale price in the metropolitan area. If that is not the case, the Government will certainly pursue prosecution if people come forward. The Leader of the National Party raised the issue, quite rightly, that, for the moment, that does not deliver for country people. However, he should be objective about the difficult job that the Government has to do, and what it is trying to do. The Government will not take on the oil companies on every front at once. It is very important to get it working in the metropolitan area, and to then implement that policy in regional centres. Following that, the Government will put in place a cap on retail prices to the benefit of motorists in rural, and regional Western Australia.
The Government recognises that country motorists find the differential between prices in rural Western Australia and in Perth totally unacceptable. However, the Government is seeking to implement a whole program that was largely laid down by the select committee and that is based on establishing a maximum wholesale price. The difficulty was that fuel was not available at the maximum wholesale price. The Government sought to prosecute, but for a range of reasons - I am happy to go through them at another stage - the Government could not get a successful prosecution. However, one factor that contributed to that was the defence used by oil companies that the maximum wholesale price was below their cost of production. That defence may be arguable in court, but I do not believe that the companies would be able to get away with that defence in court. After a thorough review, and after talking to all parties, the Government lifted that maximum wholesale price to a point at which I am now confident that that defence will not stand up in court. Now we clearly expect fuel to be available at the maximum wholesale price in the metropolitan area. If that is not the case, the Government will certainly pursue prosecution if people come forward. The Leader of the National Party raised the issue, quite rightly, that, for the moment, that does not deliver for country people. However, he should be objective about the difficult job that the Government has to do, and what it is trying to do. The Government will not take on the oil companies on every front at once. It is very important to get it working in the metropolitan area, and to then implement that policy in regional centres. Following that, the Government will put in place a cap on retail prices to the benefit of motorists in rural, and regional Western Australia.
The Leader of the National Party raised the issue, quite rightly, that, for the moment, that does not deliver for country people. However, he should be objective about the difficult job that the Government has to do, and what it is trying to do. The Government will not take on the oil companies on every front at once. It is very important to get it working in the metropolitan area, and to then implement that policy in regional centres. Following that, the Government will put in place a cap on retail prices to the benefit of motorists in rural, and regional Western Australia.
(1) Why does the ministerial statement discourage country people from purchasing fuel? (2) What role did fuel companies play in convincing the minister to increase the maximum price by 3.67c a litre? (3) Will the minister table the review that led to this decision? Mr KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I remind the House that it was the National Party, in coalition with the Liberals, who removed price control for rural Western Australia - that was its interest in looking after country motorists in Western Australia! The coalition removed the controls that were put in place by the Labor Government in the 1980s. What did the National Party do to look after rural motorists in its eight years in a coalition Government? Nothing at all. When the pressure was applied during the lead-up to the election, the National Party suddenly decided that it was an issue worth thinking about. However, when the oil companies said ‘boo’, the National Party hid under the table - it went to water! Now that the Gallop Government has started to deliver on its promise to look after fuel prices, the National Party is attacking us. The Government is being attacked because it is leading Australia in taking the issue of fuel pricing seriously. People who come to Perth from other States are saying that the Gallop Government in Western Australia is leading the nation in its attempt to ensure that fuel is available to motorists at a decent price. This Government is taking up the challenge. The Leader of the National Party does not want to recognise that, to some extent, as this Government leads Australia in its attempt to gain a win over the multinational oil companies, it is also leading the world. If the Leader of the Opposition, or any member opposite, tries to suggest that everything the Government does should be successful instantaneously, then they are totally disregarding what this Government has already achieved, and what it continues to achieve. The Government recognises that country motorists find the differential between prices in rural Western Australia and in Perth totally unacceptable. However, the Government is seeking to implement a whole program that was largely laid down by the select committee and that is based on establishing a maximum wholesale price. The difficulty was that fuel was not available at the maximum wholesale price. The Government sought to prosecute, but for a range of reasons - I am happy to go through them at another stage - the Government could not get a successful prosecution. However, one factor that contributed to that was the defence used by oil companies that the maximum wholesale price was below their cost of production. That defence may be arguable in court, but I do not believe that the companies would be able to get away with that defence in court. After a thorough review, and after talking to all parties, the Government lifted that maximum wholesale price to a point at which I am now confident that that defence will not stand up in court. Now we clearly expect fuel to be available at the maximum wholesale price in the metropolitan area. If that is not the case, the Government will certainly pursue prosecution if people come forward. The Leader of the National Party raised the issue, quite rightly, that, for the moment, that does not deliver for country people. However, he should be objective about the difficult job that the Government has to do, and what it is trying to do. The Government will not take on the oil companies on every front at once. It is very important to get it working in the metropolitan area, and to then implement that policy in regional centres. Following that, the Government will put in place a cap on retail prices to the benefit of motorists in rural, and regional Western Australia.
(2) What role did fuel companies play in convincing the minister to increase the maximum price by 3.67c a litre? (3) Will the minister table the review that led to this decision? Mr KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I remind the House that it was the National Party, in coalition with the Liberals, who removed price control for rural Western Australia - that was its interest in looking after country motorists in Western Australia! The coalition removed the controls that were put in place by the Labor Government in the 1980s. What did the National Party do to look after rural motorists in its eight years in a coalition Government? Nothing at all. When the pressure was applied during the lead-up to the election, the National Party suddenly decided that it was an issue worth thinking about. However, when the oil companies said ‘boo’, the National Party hid under the table - it went to water! Now that the Gallop Government has started to deliver on its promise to look after fuel prices, the National Party is attacking us. The Government is being attacked because it is leading Australia in taking the issue of fuel pricing seriously. People who come to Perth from other States are saying that the Gallop Government in Western Australia is leading the nation in its attempt to ensure that fuel is available to motorists at a decent price. This Government is taking up the challenge. The Leader of the National Party does not want to recognise that, to some extent, as this Government leads Australia in its attempt to gain a win over the multinational oil companies, it is also leading the world. If the Leader of the Opposition, or any member opposite, tries to suggest that everything the Government does should be successful instantaneously, then they are totally disregarding what this Government has already achieved, and what it continues to achieve. The Government recognises that country motorists find the differential between prices in rural Western Australia and in Perth totally unacceptable. However, the Government is seeking to implement a whole program that was largely laid down by the select committee and that is based on establishing a maximum wholesale price. The difficulty was that fuel was not available at the maximum wholesale price. The Government sought to prosecute, but for a range of reasons - I am happy to go through them at another stage - the Government could not get a successful prosecution. However, one factor that contributed to that was the defence used by oil companies that the maximum wholesale price was below their cost of production. That defence may be arguable in court, but I do not believe that the companies would be able to get away with that defence in court. After a thorough review, and after talking to all parties, the Government lifted that maximum wholesale price to a point at which I am now confident that that defence will not stand up in court. Now we clearly expect fuel to be available at the maximum wholesale price in the metropolitan area. If that is not the case, the Government will certainly pursue prosecution if people come forward. The Leader of the National Party raised the issue, quite rightly, that, for the moment, that does not deliver for country people. However, he should be objective about the difficult job that the Government has to do, and what it is trying to do. The Government will not take on the oil companies on every front at once. It is very important to get it working in the metropolitan area, and to then implement that policy in regional centres. Following that, the Government will put in place a cap on retail prices to the benefit of motorists in rural, and regional Western Australia.
(3) Will the minister table the review that led to this decision? Mr KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I remind the House that it was the National Party, in coalition with the Liberals, who removed price control for rural Western Australia - that was its interest in looking after country motorists in Western Australia! The coalition removed the controls that were put in place by the Labor Government in the 1980s. What did the National Party do to look after rural motorists in its eight years in a coalition Government? Nothing at all. When the pressure was applied during the lead-up to the election, the National Party suddenly decided that it was an issue worth thinking about. However, when the oil companies said ‘boo’, the National Party hid under the table - it went to water! Now that the Gallop Government has started to deliver on its promise to look after fuel prices, the National Party is attacking us. The Government is being attacked because it is leading Australia in taking the issue of fuel pricing seriously. People who come to Perth from other States are saying that the Gallop Government in Western Australia is leading the nation in its attempt to ensure that fuel is available to motorists at a decent price. This Government is taking up the challenge. The Leader of the National Party does not want to recognise that, to some extent, as this Government leads Australia in its attempt to gain a win over the multinational oil companies, it is also leading the world. If the Leader of the Opposition, or any member opposite, tries to suggest that everything the Government does should be successful instantaneously, then they are totally disregarding what this Government has already achieved, and what it continues to achieve. The Government recognises that country motorists find the differential between prices in rural Western Australia and in Perth totally unacceptable. However, the Government is seeking to implement a whole program that was largely laid down by the select committee and that is based on establishing a maximum wholesale price. The difficulty was that fuel was not available at the maximum wholesale price. The Government sought to prosecute, but for a range of reasons - I am happy to go through them at another stage - the Government could not get a successful prosecution. However, one factor that contributed to that was the defence used by oil companies that the maximum wholesale price was below their cost of production. That defence may be arguable in court, but I do not believe that the companies would be able to get away with that defence in court. After a thorough review, and after talking to all parties, the Government lifted that maximum wholesale price to a point at which I am now confident that that defence will not stand up in court. Now we clearly expect fuel to be available at the maximum wholesale price in the metropolitan area. If that is not the case, the Government will certainly pursue prosecution if people come forward. The Leader of the National Party raised the issue, quite rightly, that, for the moment, that does not deliver for country people. However, he should be objective about the difficult job that the Government has to do, and what it is trying to do. The Government will not take on the oil companies on every front at once. It is very important to get it working in the metropolitan area, and to then implement that policy in regional centres. Following that, the Government will put in place a cap on retail prices to the benefit of motorists in rural, and regional Western Australia.
Mr KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I remind the House that it was the National Party, in coalition with the Liberals, who removed price control for rural Western Australia - that was its interest in looking after country motorists in Western Australia! The coalition removed the controls that were put in place by the Labor Government in the 1980s. What did the National Party do to look after rural motorists in its eight years in a coalition Government? Nothing at all. When the pressure was applied during the lead-up to the election, the National Party suddenly decided that it was an issue worth thinking about. However, when the oil companies said ‘boo’, the National Party hid under the table - it went to water! Now that the Gallop Government has started to deliver on its promise to look after fuel prices, the National Party is attacking us. The Government is being attacked because it is leading Australia in taking the issue of fuel pricing seriously. People who come to Perth from other States are saying that the Gallop Government in Western Australia is leading the nation in its attempt to ensure that fuel is available to motorists at a decent price. This Government is taking up the challenge. The Leader of the National Party does not want to recognise that, to some extent, as this Government leads Australia in its attempt to gain a win over the multinational oil companies, it is also leading the world. If the Leader of the Opposition, or any member opposite, tries to suggest that everything the Government does should be successful instantaneously, then they are totally disregarding what this Government has already achieved, and what it continues to achieve. The Government recognises that country motorists find the differential between prices in rural Western Australia and in Perth totally unacceptable. However, the Government is seeking to implement a whole program that was largely laid down by the select committee and that is based on establishing a maximum wholesale price. The difficulty was that fuel was not available at the maximum wholesale price. The Government sought to prosecute, but for a range of reasons - I am happy to go through them at another stage - the Government could not get a successful prosecution. However, one factor that contributed to that was the defence used by oil companies that the maximum wholesale price was below their cost of production. That defence may be arguable in court, but I do not believe that the companies would be able to get away with that defence in court. After a thorough review, and after talking to all parties, the Government lifted that maximum wholesale price to a point at which I am now confident that that defence will not stand up in court. Now we clearly expect fuel to be available at the maximum wholesale price in the metropolitan area. If that is not the case, the Government will certainly pursue prosecution if people come forward. The Leader of the National Party raised the issue, quite rightly, that, for the moment, that does not deliver for country people. However, he should be objective about the difficult job that the Government has to do, and what it is trying to do. The Government will not take on the oil companies on every front at once. It is very important to get it working in the metropolitan area, and to then implement that policy in regional centres. Following that, the Government will put in place a cap on retail prices to the benefit of motorists in rural, and regional Western Australia.
(1)-(3) I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I remind the House that it was the National Party, in coalition with the Liberals, who removed price control for rural Western Australia - that was its interest in looking after country motorists in Western Australia! The coalition removed the controls that were put in place by the Labor Government in the 1980s. What did the National Party do to look after rural motorists in its eight years in a coalition Government? Nothing at all. When the pressure was applied during the lead-up to the election, the National Party suddenly decided that it was an issue worth thinking about. However, when the oil companies said ‘boo’, the National Party hid under the table - it went to water! Now that the Gallop Government has started to deliver on its promise to look after fuel prices, the National Party is attacking us. The Government is being attacked because it is leading Australia in taking the issue of fuel pricing seriously. People who come to Perth from other States are saying that the Gallop Government in Western Australia is leading the nation in its attempt to ensure that fuel is available to motorists at a decent price. This Government is taking up the challenge. The Leader of the National Party does not want to recognise that, to some extent, as this Government leads Australia in its attempt to gain a win over the multinational oil companies, it is also leading the world. If the Leader of the Opposition, or any member opposite, tries to suggest that everything the Government does should be successful instantaneously, then they are totally disregarding what this Government has already achieved, and what it continues to achieve. The Government recognises that country motorists find the differential between prices in rural Western Australia and in Perth totally unacceptable. However, the Government is seeking to implement a whole program that was largely laid down by the select committee and that is based on establishing a maximum wholesale price. The difficulty was that fuel was not available at the maximum wholesale price. The Government sought to prosecute, but for a range of reasons - I am happy to go through them at another stage - the Government could not get a successful prosecution. However, one factor that contributed to that was the defence used by oil companies that the maximum wholesale price was below their cost of production. That defence may be arguable in court, but I do not believe that the companies would be able to get away with that defence in court. After a thorough review, and after talking to all parties, the Government lifted that maximum wholesale price to a point at which I am now confident that that defence will not stand up in court. Now we clearly expect fuel to be available at the maximum wholesale price in the metropolitan area. If that is not the case, the Government will certainly pursue prosecution if people come forward. The Leader of the National Party raised the issue, quite rightly, that, for the moment, that does not deliver for country people. However, he should be objective about the difficult job that the Government has to do, and what it is trying to do. The Government will not take on the oil companies on every front at once. It is very important to get it working in the metropolitan area, and to then implement that policy in regional centres. Following that, the Government will put in place a cap on retail prices to the benefit of motorists in rural, and regional Western Australia.
The Government recognises that country motorists find the differential between prices in rural Western Australia and in Perth totally unacceptable. However, the Government is seeking to implement a whole program that was largely laid down by the select committee and that is based on establishing a maximum wholesale price. The difficulty was that fuel was not available at the maximum wholesale price. The Government sought to prosecute, but for a range of reasons - I am happy to go through them at another stage - the Government could not get a successful prosecution. However, one factor that contributed to that was the defence used by oil companies that the maximum wholesale price was below their cost of production. That defence may be arguable in court, but I do not believe that the companies would be able to get away with that defence in court. After a thorough review, and after talking to all parties, the Government lifted that maximum wholesale price to a point at which I am now confident that that defence will not stand up in court. Now we clearly expect fuel to be available at the maximum wholesale price in the metropolitan area. If that is not the case, the Government will certainly pursue prosecution if people come forward. The Leader of the National Party raised the issue, quite rightly, that, for the moment, that does not deliver for country people. However, he should be objective about the difficult job that the Government has to do, and what it is trying to do. The Government will not take on the oil companies on every front at once. It is very important to get it working in the metropolitan area, and to then implement that policy in regional centres. Following that, the Government will put in place a cap on retail prices to the benefit of motorists in rural, and regional Western Australia.
The Leader of the National Party raised the issue, quite rightly, that, for the moment, that does not deliver for country people. However, he should be objective about the difficult job that the Government has to do, and what it is trying to do. The Government will not take on the oil companies on every front at once. It is very important to get it working in the metropolitan area, and to then implement that policy in regional centres. Following that, the Government will put in place a cap on retail prices to the benefit of motorists in rural, and regional Western Australia.
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