CLP to table fuel price disclosure bill in bid to drive down cost of living

Fuel retailers could be forced to report their profits if the CLP has its way, but the Opposition’s unexpected move to debate the bill was shut down in the NT Parliament.

In a bid to drive down fuel prices, the NT Opposition is pushing a bill that would demand greater transparency from fuel retailers.

CLP tried to raise the bill for a second reading in October parliament sittings, after the party first gave notice of the bill in July.

It aims to create new legislation that would force fuel retailers to publicly disclose their profits.

For two sittings in a row the CLP did not move up their fuel bill on their general business agenda, and Braitling MLA Josh Burgoyne’s attempts to bring it to the front of Wednesday’s order of business under emergency powers was shut down by the government.

Mr Burboyne said the bill, which the party would now have to raise again in November, aimed to drive down prices in the long term.

Braitling MLA and CLP member Josh (Joshua) Burgoyne said ball is in the Labor government’s court on the issue of fuel prices. Picture: Supplied

“By showing the profit margin, we’ll be able to see whether petrol retailers are gouging Territorians or whether, as they always say, it really is the price of freight for fuel prices remaining so high,” Mr Burgoyne said.

“What this will do is shine a light on exactly how much Territorians have been paying for fuel.

“It basically puts Labor on notice – will you back in Territorians or are you going to back in the major fuel businesses?”

The latest MotorMouth data, which reports daily, shows the average price of fuel in Darwin is currently on par with other capital cities at 171c/litre for unleaded and 207c/litre for diesel.

However, in August, Territorians paid up to 30c more per litre.

In comparison to the Top End, the average price of unleaded fuel is currently about 60c/litre more expensive in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek and 45c/litre more in Katherine.

Katherine MLA and CLP member Jo Hersey said cost of living is one of the biggest pressures on all Territorians. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Katherine MLA Jo Hersey said the bill offered the government a “solution” on rising cost of living pressures.

“We want this to be bipartisan – we want Labor to work with us,” Ms Hersey said

“Fuel prices continue to climb with the removal of the fuel excise and oil producers cutting production.

“The Opposition’s fuel bill reflects recommendations made by the ACCC.

“This bill is about increasing competition and giving consumers information they need to force that competition.”

With only seven seats, the Opposition would need the support of several Labor members, as well as that of the assembly’s three independent members, in order to pass the bill.

However on Wednesday, Labor members suggested they would not support it.

Drysdale MLA Eva Lawler said the MyFuel NT app is doing enough to drive competition among retailers.

“The biggest influence or the biggest thing that we can do around fuel is to go and have a look at where the cheapest fuel is and use that outlet,” Ms Lawler said

“If we all go to the cheapest fuel outlet, we will see the price of fuel go down, so that’s what we need to do.”

Gwoja MLA Chansey Paech described the CLP’s proposed legislation as a “dusty” rehashed bill of former Chief Minister Adam Giles, that would do nothing to change fuel prices.

“There are external factors which are contributing to the increase in fuel prices,” Mr Paech said.

“We are working through a competitive angle to ensure that retailers have access to where the cheapest fuel is and help people understand how to access to those services.”

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro has previously called for a formal inquiry into fuel prices, which would allow the parliament to ask fuel companies and industry experts on how prices are set.

Putting a cap on retailers’ profits has also been raised by the CLP as a possible solution to the issue.

The Federal Government is now taking in 44c per litre of fuel sold after the fuel excise cut ended on September 28.

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Originally published as CLP to table fuel price disclosure bill in bid to drive down cost of living