Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

I do not want to prolong the debate any longer than it needs to go on but, as I said, as a matter of principle, firstly, we do not believe the parliament should be giving orders to an executive arm of government. Secondly, the government’s position on this is well known. As I said, petrol pricing is without doubt the area of commercial activity most subject to inquiry in all of Australia’s commercial activities. There have been some 46—now 47—inquiries. The commissioner himself has made it clear that he is not aware of any prima facie evidence to substantiate the wild allegations that are made about petrol pricing in this country. It is well on the record that, as a matter of fact, we have the fourth lowest petrol prices in the OECD. Margins in this industry are extremely thin. It is a highly competitive industry, as evidenced by the fluctuations in prices, so we see absolutely nothing to be gained by a make-work scheme of the kind suggested by Senator O’Brien.