News

| April 08, 2016

Vic Government under the pump for fuel prices investigation

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP has called on the Victorian Government to support a thorough investigation into the high fuel prices across Western Victoria.

“I have also also written to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission requesting an investigation into fuel prices to ensure that people living in rural Victoria can purchase fuel in a fair market and are not victim of opportunistic price gouging,” Ms Kealy said.

“Local people feel like they are being ‘ripped off’ at the pump and there is no question that cost-of-living pressures are taking their toll on households and families.

“The Andrews Labor Government keeps promising to ease the cost of living pressures, but empty promises equal empty wallets.

“Local motorists and businesses are concerned about the discrepancies in prices for fuel in different towns.

“This has been a long-running frustration for local people who are paying much higher on average than other towns across the state,” she said.

Ms Kealy said there appeared to be no logic behind the inequitable fuel prices.

“Price differences are often explained by fuel transport costs, but this argument makes very little sense when averages in neighbouring towns are far lower,” Ms Kealy said.

“The Victorian Government should be helping people with cost-of-living pressures by throwing its weight behind an investigation," she said.