Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Let us be clear: the ACCC’s report of its 2007 petrol inquiry found that the Australian petrol industry was relatively concentrated with significant barriers to the large-scale importing of petrol by independents. Why did it take 11½ years for the ACCC to be asked to do this? Because those opposite, when in government, completely ducked the issue. So what are the Rudd government’s policy initiatives in this area? We have given the ACCC the power to conduct formal petrol price monitoring and have it provide an annual report on price monitoring. For 11½ years we had nothing from those opposite when in government. We will appoint a petrol commissioner within the ACCC. For 11½ years we had nothing. (Time expired)