Darren Cheeseman (Corangamite, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Treasurer. Is the Treasurer aware of reports of anticompetitive behaviour by some petrol stations in recent days? What is the government doing to ensure consumers are not being ripped off at the petrol pump over this Easter long weekend?

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question. This Easter will be the first time that the ACCC has had formal power to monitor petrol prices—the very first time the ACCC has had these formal powers. It is very important, because there has been some alleged activity by some petrol stations over the last few days. There are serious allegations that consumers are driving into petrol stations that are advertising cheaper unleaded prices only to find that the pumps are out of order and that they are forced to buy more expensive petrol. I can report to the House that over recent days almost 50 inspectors from the ACCC and state governments have been out there to ensure that activity such as that is not occurring and there will be inspectors on the beat over the Easter period. We now have a watchdog with teeth, and they will be out there. Today I urge Australians who feel they are being ripped off by any of the practices that were mentioned before to call the ACCC on 1300302502.

Those opposite might think that financial pressure on Australian families is a laughing matter. Could you have a better example of a group of people who are more out of touch than those over there? This is the crew who have a spokesman for Treasury who said when he was questioned about the highest inflation in 16 years, ‘Mission accomplished.’ He was proud of it. What did he say when productivity hit zero? He said: ‘Don’t worry. Mission accomplished.’ What did he say when there were eight interest rate rises in three years? He said: ‘Don’t worry. Mission accomplished.’

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on a point of order: we really want to hear what the Treasurer is saying. I ask that you ask him to speak into the microphone, because we actually cannot hear half of what he is saying over here.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for North Sydney raises one aspect of his ability to hear the Treasurer. Another aspect would be that he could only hear his own voice and those of his colleagues who are interjecting. So I am quite happy to ask the Treasurer to speak into the microphone if in fact those on my left are going to listen to him in silence.

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Competition in petrol retailing is a very serious issue. It goes to the core of the financial pressures on Australian families. I am sorry that the rabble over there does not appear to understand. This Easter, the ACCC have said they will not hesitate to prosecute and fine those involved in misleading conduct, and that can happen now because this government has given the ACCC some teeth.

Brendan Nelson (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on a point of order: could I ask the Treasurer to come back and repeat the phone number?

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Has the Treasurer completed his answer?

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.