Chris Bowen (Prospect, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I was asked about obstacles. And it is an important obstacle that we may not be able to get FuelWatch through the upper house. Yesterday the leader of the opposition in the upper house said that they have misgivings about FuelWatch because it is so expensive. Honourable members opposite would have read the budget papers. They know that FuelWatch will cost $20 million over four years. Apparently that is too expensive. But $8 billion over four years is not too expensive. I know the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education has a great concern about the quality of maths teaching and teaching standards in this country. I have referred this to her as a case study for studying value for money—that is, that $20 million over four years is actually cheaper than $8 billion over four years.

But I am pleased to report to the House that there is one leader of the Liberal Party in Australia who has shown leadership on this issue. Unfortunately, it is not the honourable gentleman who sits opposite, but it is one well known to members from the great state of New South Wales. Mr O’Farrell has said of FuelWatch:

This will ease the burden on families and pensioners by helping drive down petrol prices.

He went on to say:

This is about putting the interests of motorists’ wallets ahead of oil company profits.

We will soon know where honourable members opposite stand on that particular equation when they announce whether or not they will support FuelWatch in the upper house.

See this speech in context