Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Abetz, get on the phone and ask the Liberal Party in WA, now in government, why they are not getting rid of Fuelwatch in WA. They support it. Yet at a federal level the Liberal Party do not support Fuelwatch. They should get on the phone and learn the lessons and the benefits of Fuelwatch in WA.

In our view, the opposition are being typically negative. They have a go at anything positive that this government will do, in a whole range of areas. When we put forward something that not only is positive for consumers but will benefit consumers, and where there is a good working example in Western Australia, the Liberal opposition, in typically negative fashion, oppose it for no good reason. So the only place that motorists will receive the benefits of Fuelwatch, if this bill is voted down, is WA, under a Liberal government. There is great irony in that.

As I understand it, in the vote that will occur in a couple of minutes on the second reading of this legislation, regrettably the measure is likely to be voted down. It is going to be a sad day for consumers in Australia. We have advanced the arguments for Fuelwatch and its positives: the consumer power, the downward pressure on fuel prices, the advantages to consumers. We have a good, longstanding working example in Western Australia, supported by both the Labor Party and the Liberals—