Page 2046 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 28 May 1991
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AUDITOR-GENERAL - REPORT NO. 4 OF 1991
Efficiency Audit - Managing Capital Works
MR SPEAKER: Pursuant to the Audit Act 1989, I table for the information of members the following paper:
Auditor-General's Report No. 4 of 1991 - Efficiency Audit - Managing Capital Works, dated 28 May 1991.
Motion (by Mr Collaery), by leave, agreed to:
That the Assembly authorises the publication of the Auditor-General's Report No. 4 of 1991.
Motion (by Mr Collaery) agreed to:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
PETROL PRICING
Ministerial Statement
MR COLLAERY (Deputy Chief Minister), by leave: Mr Speaker, to say that the price of petrol in Canberra is a matter of public concern could be regarded as the understatement of the year. In fact, high petrol prices have been a matter of concern for many years in Canberra, with a number of governments trying to take some action to redress the situation.
High ACT petrol prices are, however, but the tip of an iceberg. Not only have the States and the Northern Territory also complained of high prices, but allegations continue of wholesale marketing collusion and illegal retail price fixing as a result of the lack of competition in the petrol industry. ACT service station proprietors claim that their margins are barely adequate and should be increased. Meanwhile, ACT consumers know that they are paying higher prices than in Sydney, and with the recent price rip-off which occurred just before Easter the credibility of the petroleum industry is in doubt.
Mr Speaker, to put the issue in perspective it is necessary to look at some recent history of petrol prices in the ACT. Following consumer disquiet, the Prices Surveillance Authority conducted an inquiry into ACT petrol prices in 1987. The outcome of that inquiry, in brief, was that the ACT, without a refinery and with limited competition, would have to endure the prevailing level of prices. Some planning action was taken to make additional sites available at places such as Symonston, Fyshwick, Watson, Gold Creek and Gilmore. Industry response, however, Mr Speaker, has not been strong and it is fair to say that these planning initiatives have had no effect as yet on ACT
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