Released 04/02/2020
Canberrans are set to benefit from the ACT Government’s push for more competition in the local petrol market.
Historically Canberrans have been poorly served by fuel retailers and we are working to put a stop to the unfairness. Government initiatives are focussed on saving money for drivers in the ACT.
We’re encouraging smaller operators to set up in the Territory to help drive petrol prices down and ease cost of living pressure on Canberra households.
It’s no secret that Canberrans were paying some of the highest petrol prices in Australia. Two major inquiries were undertaken into the ACT fuel market in 2019 by the 2019 ACT Legislative Assembly and the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
We are taking a range of actions to increase competition and improve fuel price transparency in the ACT, as outlined in the Government’s response to the Assembly inquiry.
In December 2019, I wrote to independent retailers that operate in New South Wales to encourage them to enter the ACT market. New retailers have already set up in the ACT and we have already commenced discussions with several more.
The Government is also investigating mandatory, real-time fuel price reporting, which could be delivered by the NSW FuelCheck scheme incorporating ACT service stations. I have written to the NSW Premier to seek her agreement, which would help Canberrans decide where to buy petrol and keep retailers honest.
The Government will also commission ongoing analysis and reporting on the ACT fuel market to increase transparency and place a continuing eye on fuel prices in the Territory.
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases