Page 5693 - Week 15 - Thursday, 10 December 2009

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Mr Coe: Because it is on the Hume Highway maybe?

MR STANHOPE: Dubbo is not on the Hume Highway, mate.

Mr Hanson: You were talking about Albury.

Mr Smyth: Which is on the Hume Highway.

MR STANHOPE: I talked about Albury and Dubbo, mate. Dubbo is not on the Hume Highway. You can be silly and pretend that things are what they are not or that you did not say what you did say, Mr Smyth, and you can keep doing it. I was making the point for Mr Coe that I treat with some scepticism a claim that explains the price of petrol in the ACT vis-a-vis other places on the basis of density or scale. I also said I do not have detailed information. I am more than happy to get it. I was simply seeking, as a result of my helpful disposition, to suggest that I was a little cynical about the explanation. But I will take the question on notice.

Visitor

MR SPEAKER: Members, before we proceed, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of a former minister and member of this place, Mr Michael Moore. On behalf of all members, I welcome you back to the Assembly, Mr Moore.

Questions without notice

Canberra—cost of petrol

MR SPEAKER: Mr Coe, a supplementary question?

MR COE: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Chief Minister, what was the ACT government’s response to the ACCC’s petrol inquiry, which reported in December 2007? Did it include changes to fuel standards, as recommended in the report?

MR STANHOPE: I cannot remember in any detail at all. I am happy to take the question on notice, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth?

MR SMYTH: Chief Minister, what action will the ACT government take to make sure that Canberrans do not pay more than is necessary for petrol as we enter the Christmas holiday period?

MR STANHOPE: The ACT government shares the concern most particularly expressed by the NRMA as recently as yesterday about the need for something to be done, and it is a difficult issue. It is an issue that has been raised, I think, every year that I have been in place—that is, what can we do? What can the ACT government do? What can a state or territory government do about the price of petrol and about the way in which it fluctuates, the way in which it seems to rise mysteriously on certain days of the week and the way in which it seems to rise mysteriously on days before long weekends or in holiday periods?


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