Premium Petrol Availability

Mr PAUL McLEAY: My question without notice is addressed to the Minister for Fair Trading. Can the Minister update the House on complaints about the availability of premium petrol on cheap fuel day?

Mr Chris Hartcher: Catherine Cusack did very well, Minister.

Ms LINDA BURNEY: Catherine Cusack did well?

Mr Chris Hartcher: Did very well.

Ms LINDA BURNEY: We will come to that. I thank the member for Heathcote for his question on this very important issue. We know Australian families are under growing financial pressure with mortgages, rent, food and, of course, the increasing price of petrol.

The SPEAKER: Order! Members will cease interjecting.

Ms LINDA BURNEY: For people who commute long distances, particularly in rural areas, petrol is even more of an issue. We know about the petrol-price cycle, particularly in Sydney. Prices are at their lowest on Tuesday, before climbing sharply to reach their peak on Thursday. The gap can be up to 10 cents a litre in a given week. This cycle was confirmed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in its inquiry into petrol prices, which reported in December last year. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission concluded that there was no conspiracy and that the unleaded petrol industry in Australia is fundamentally competitive. They found no obvious evidence of price fixing or collusion between the major participants in the industry. However, as Fair Trading Minister my responsibility is clear. It is to protect consumers. We must be on guard against subtle changes in the marketplace. I am concerned about reports of the mysterious unavailability of premium fuel at service stations around Sydney on Tuesday, when prices are at their lowest.

The SPEAKER: Order! There is far too much audible conversation in the Chamber. The Minister has the call.

Ms LINDA BURNEY: Yesterday I had my fair trading inspectors do a random check of service stations in Sydney. They visited 174 service stations and found that a quarter of them (about 41 service stations) did not have premium petrol available. So about a quarter of service stations in Sydney do not have premium petrol on cheap fuel day. Is this really an issue of availability as service station attendants say, or is this a pattern that consumers need to be concerned about? Even if the increase in cars requiring higher performance petrol is causing genuine supply problems, it is hard to believe that shortages happen to fall on the one day when petrol prices are at their lowest and are resolved in time for the weekly price peak.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting and having a conversation with himself.

Ms LINDA BURNEY: So why is it that on Tuesday we see the lack of premium fuel? As members would be aware, many new and imported cars require premium petrol. It is the most expensive fuel and many of the manuals for these cars outline that they require it. Those members who drive older cars—it is good to know the member for Vaucluse drives an old car—will know that premium fuel gives better mileage. When I arrived at Parliament House this morning I took a little walk through the level 4 car park and I did not see the little red sports car of the member for Baulkham Hills—what has happened to it?

Mr Wayne Merton: It ran out of petrol!

Ms LINDA BURNEY: The question is: Did you try to fill it up yesterday? But there was a rather lovely blue Mazda RX-8, which I suggest needs premium petrol otherwise it is a midlife crisis! Seriously though, Mr Speaker, it is worrying to think that some motorists who use premium fuel might be denied the price saving opportunities that other motorists can take advantage of on a Tuesday. That is why I can inform the House today that I have asked the Office of Fair Trading to conduct a survey on the prevalence of this seemingly weekly disappearance of premium petrol from some Sydney service stations. The survey started today. It is available on the Office of Fair Trading website, or by ringing the telephone number 13 32 20.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Ms LINDA BURNEY: It is boys with toys, Mr Speaker. They cannot keep their mouths closed because this is an interesting subject to them. The survey will ask if the problem has been experienced; if so, when; the name and location of the petrol station; and the respondent's contact details. Since raising this issue this morning my office has already received a number of calls from consumers. I have to say that consumers may be disappointed in the response of the Opposition. The illustrious Catherine Cusack, my shadow in the other House, is out there defending the oil companies. She was all over lunchtime radio today defending the oil companies. I will send all the information gathered from our consumer survey to the new Petrol Commissioner and ask him to investigate the issue. I conclude by saying—they are so noisy, Mr Speaker, would you please do something about it?

The SPEAKER: Order!

Ms LINDA BURNEY: I applaud the initiative of the Rudd Labor Government for facing up to this critical consumer issue by appointing Patrick Walker as the new Petrol Commissioner. I will ask the Commissioner to investigate if this reported availability issue is mere coincidence or if petrol companies are looking to maximise profit at the expense of customers. I also have a mission for the members of this House.

The SPEAKER: Order! There is too much audible conversation in the Chamber.

Ms LINDA BURNEY: I want members to go out and check if Tuesday is in fact the day when local service stations reduce premium petrol—

Mr Andrew Fraser: Are you going to check on Wednesday?

Ms LINDA BURNEY: Yes, we are. While the Service Station Association says this issue is about short supply and lateness of deliveries—which is the usual excuse—it is important that we hear from consumers and that we establish the facts. Mr Speaker, they have run out of petrol. That is their problem! I have every confidence that the Rudd Government will be able to achieve considerably more in this area of consumer protection than the Opposition's federal colleagues in the previous Government.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the Leader of The Nationals to order.

Question time concluded.