Issue Date:  -  Monday, 17 April 2000

Parliamentary Select Committee inquiry into petroleum products pricing in Western Australia

There has been a general public concern over recent increases in petrol pricing and LPG Autogas facing Western Australian consumers and business.

On the recommendation of the Minister for Fair Trading a parliamentary select committee was appointed on 6 April 2000 to look at issues concerning petrol and LPG Autogas pricing, with particular focus on addressing the disparity between metropolitan and non-metropolitan prices.

The Terms of Reference for the inquiry are as follows:

That a Select Committee be appointed to investigate and report on the wholesale and retail price of petrol fuel and LPG Autogas petroleum products in metropolitan and non-metropolitan Western Australia, and in particular –

a. the reasons for differences in the price of petroleum products in metropolitan and non-metropolitan Western Australia;

b. the reasons for significant price fluctuations in petroleum products;

c.` the impact of State and Federal Government policies, taxes and charges on the price of petroleum products in both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas of the State;

d. the effect on the price of petroleum products of current changes in the system of petroleum product franchising throughout Western Australia;

e. the reasons for the high cost of LPG Autogas in Western Australia relative to other Australian States;

f. whether legislative intervention is necessary or desirable to reduce the difference in the price for petroleum products within and between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas of Western Australia; and

g. recommendations for any other measures to reduce the price difference for petroleum products within and between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas of Western Australia.

The Committee is required to finally report by 30 September 2000.

The Committee will have extensive powers of investigation. A principal aim is to ensure Western Australian consumers are paying a fair and equitable price for their petroleum products and those products are not subject to price exploitation.

Written submissions to the inquiry should be directed to

the Chairman of the Select Committee into the Pricing of Petroleum Products in Western Australia,
c/- Parliament House
Perth Western Australia 6000
Website: http://www.wafuelpricing.com

The Committee will be releasing further details of its inquiry and proposed meetings through the local press.