Page 1871 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 14 June 1994
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Petrol Station Sites
MR WESTENDE: Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Attorney-General. The Minister has indicated that nothing short of a resolution of this Assembly, or a court injunction, would prevent him from proceeding to allocate additional sites to so-called independent petrol station operators. Since those comments were made his factional colleague, Mrs Kelly, has stated her view that his policy is driving many small businesses to the wall. Has Mrs Kelly erred in her assessment of the Government's impact on small business? Will the Minister take Mrs Kelly's advice and suspend the process of offering additional sites until such time as the Assembly inquiry into this matter is completed?
MR CONNOLLY: Madam Speaker, the Government certainly stands committed to continue the process of providing competitive petrol prices in the ACT. My intention is to proceed as rapidly as possible with those additional three sites, unless, as I say, I am prevented by a resolution of this Assembly or by a court order. I did read with some interest the article containing comments from Mrs Kelly. I also know that Mrs Kelly said that she supported absolutely my efforts to reduce the price of petrol.
Mrs Carnell: You just did not do it right.
MR CONNOLLY: So does Mrs Carnell. The reality is that the only way to bring down petrol prices is to introduce independents to the market. I have discussed this matter with Mrs Kelly and I indicated to her my firm belief that we are, and we remain, on the right track. I am not sure that I provided her with the 1992 Motor Trades Association comments which show clearly that they were intending to reduce the number of sites selling petrol in Canberra by 12. If I have not, I will.
This Government, not Federal members, is responsible for decisions in relation to the petroleum industry in Canberra, and one often has agreements or disagreements with one's Federal colleagues. In this case I stand committed, as does the Government, to the strategy of introducing independents into the oil market in Canberra, and I am delighted to see you coming out now and nailing your colours to the mast. It is clear that a Liberal government would have allowed the unreasonably high price of petrol to consumers in this market to continue, and that the oil companies' friends, the mates of the cartel, are sitting on those benches opposite.
MR LAMONT: I thank the member for his question, Madam Speaker. It is appropriate for Mr Berry to have asked the question, as it was under his initiative that the Bill was introduced into this Assembly.
Sports Drugs Testing Legislation
MR BERRY: Bearing in mind the attention that is given to elite athletes and their performances by all Australians across this country, and in particular in the ACT, I would like to hear from the Minister for Sport about the current status of the Sports (Drugs Testing) Bill, because I know that that will be a matter of some interest to the community. The Bill is one that people have had in focus for some time.
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