Page 4351 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 30 November 1994
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Petrol Station Sites
MR HUMPHRIES: Madam Speaker, my question also is to the Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning. It concerns the reference he made a moment ago to the action commenced by the Trade Practices Commission against a number of oil companies, with respect to breaches of the Trade Practices Act in relation to competitive practices and competition. Given that this action relates to oil companies which operate in the ACT and given that the independents referred to within that action are independents which, presumably, are in a position to tender for sites in the ACT, I ask the Minister: In view of the relevance of that action, what steps has he taken to familiarise himself with the Trade Practices Commission's reasons for bringing the action and the action itself, and what relevance does he feel that this may have for the process he is engaging in today for the tendering for new sites?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, as usual, Mr Humphries seems to be making quite a few assumptions. One thing that I have to take heed of is the fact that there are legal actions pending; so I should not be too judgmental in anything I say. Obviously - to answer Mr Humphries's question quite clearly, as always - I have read the Trade Practices Commission's finding quite carefully.
Mr Humphries: What finding? They have not made a finding.
MR WOOD: Their statement. My officers are reading it quite carefully and have it well in mind as we evaluate the tenders that are coming to us.
MR HUMPHRIES: I wish to ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. In fact, I seek leave to table the statement of claim.
Leave granted.
MR HUMPHRIES: Madam Speaker, page 22 of the statement of claim of the Trade Practices Commission refers to independents in the petrol market. In view of the claim by the Trade Practices Commission of collusion between Shell Australia and its independents to fix the retail price of petrol, will the Minister give the Assembly an assurance that he will not authorise the issue of leases unless he is absolutely satisfied that the successful applicants have never entered, and will never enter, into price fixing arrangements with the major oil companies, as evidenced by the statement of claim issued by the Trade Practices Commission?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, I am advised that the matter is substantially sub judice. Mr Humphries is quoting from a statement of claim. I find it remarkable that the Opposition should be using a document that confirms the rorting that goes on, which confirms the action that we are taking to provide cheaper petrol to the ACT community. Mr Humphries seems to me to be giving an endorsement to what we are doing. One other point I would make is that the price variable - the 69c price now, compared to 76c - is pretty reasonable evidence to me that there has not been collusion between the independents and others in the ACT.
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