Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is addressed to the Assistant Treasurer. On page 10, paragraph 71, of the regulatory impact statement relating to Fuelwatch, the Treasury lists seven elements of compliance costs which together make up the very substantial, nearly $4,000 per business, compliance cost associated with Fuelwatch. Only one of those seven is affected by the minister’s change in policy. The other six remain. Can the minister credibly justify to this House that there will be no compliance costs whatsoever on small business in the petrol-retailing industry as a consequence of this bill?

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

I thank the honourable gentleman for his question. I refer to my previous answer. There will be no implementation costs for small business, and as for ongoing costs—one phone call a day, one email a day, with a toll-free number supplied by the ACCC. If the honourable member for Wentworth would like to explain to the House how that involves an ongoing implementation cost—one phone call a day on a toll-free number or one email a day—we would be very glad to hear it.