Sarah Henderson (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to celebrate the achievements which have been made in delivering fairer petrol prices to the people of Colac. As I revealed with Minister for Small Business Bruce Billson when he visited Colac last Friday, ACCC data shows that prices in Colac in December 2014 were on average 18.1c higher than the average price in the five largest cities. I am delighted to advise the House that after a very strong community campaign the average price disparity between Colac and the five metro cities has dropped in April this year to just 3.5c per litre. Through our review of competition law and the Harper review our government is working very hard to shine a light on anticompetitive conduct and deliver fairer prices for consumers and small business operators.

I have spoken out strongly against the petrol price rip-off in Colac, as have many others: the Colac Herald, Phil Edge, Bill Brown and those behind Colac's High Fuel Prices Facebook page. There is much work to be done, but we cannot rest; we must keep the pressure on. I am very proud that the people of Colac will not give up on this important issue, and I stand by them all the way.