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

My question is to the Attorney-General. Has the Attorney-General sought legal advice on the constitutional validity of Fuelwatch and will he release that advice?

Robert McClelland (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for his question. The Attorney-General’s Department has not sought that advice. I understand that the advice has been sought, however, by Treasury and the Assistant Treasurer. The advice is that, insofar as unincorporated associations, partnerships and sole traders deal with fuel companies, which are in turn corporations, there is sufficient constitutional power to implement the Fuelwatch scheme.