CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND FAIR TRADING AMENDMENT BILL 2000 Second Reading Speech

Northern Territory Second Reading Speeches

CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND FAIR TRADING AMENDMENT BILL 2000

(This an uncorrected proof of the daily report. It is made available under the condition that it is recognised as such.)

Mr Speaker, I move that the bill now be read a second time.

It is with pleasure that I table this bill, a bill to amend the Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Act to require Territory service stations and retail fuel outlets to display their prices for petrol and diesel. This bill arose from the earlier discussions in this House and in the media concerning the recent rapid escalation in fuel prices. In particular, the Chief Minister suggested that Territorians should ‘shop around’ or words to that effect to get the best deal for fuel. Shopping around in the Territory is made more difficult given that a number of service stations do not currently display prices in ways that allow motorists to determine their level other than driving into the service station and checking the price on the bowser. Many service stations do display their prices and Territorians thank them for that. This bill will do nothing to affect the operation of these businesses.

The bill simply requires those that currently don’t display their prices in a manner that is visible from the street to do so. It does not specify the form of that signage, so a blackboard or a piece of cardboard would suffice. The bill therefore does not impose a significant cost on business, in fact, a very small cost if any at all but the bill will provide a significant benefit to Territorians and visitors. Many people working in Darwin live in surrounding rural areas, some of these are commuting up to 120km a day as a round trip to and from town. The rise in fuel prices is forcing a huge cut in their lifestyle with the price of a tank of fuel of 60 litres rising by about $15 to $17 in Darwin since February last year. The increase is even higher elsewhere in the Territory. These people in particular deserve the opportunity of being able to see the fuel prices displayed as they travel to and from work but we all want to know where we can get the best deals. The bill will apply Territory-wide.

While competition for fuel supplies may not be a major issue in many remote communities or down the track, it nevertheless is appropriate that all fuel outlets be subject to the same requirements. The alternative would be to say require service stations in municipal or local government areas to be subject to the requirements while exempting other outlets from them. Inevitably, boundary issues would occur as to whether a particular service station is within or outside the requirements of the bill. It also means that as the Territory grows the act would require continuing amendment to make sure it remained relevant in terms of the areas covered. For this reason, all fuel outlets will be covered by the bill. It is fair, it is not onerous on Territory business and it is certainly beneficial to customers.
Mr Speaker, I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned.

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