Servos Welcome ALP Commitment on Petrol

The Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) welcomes the Australian Labor Party's announcement on Sunday of its six-point plan for petrol.

The ALP commitment to amending the Trade Practices Act 1974, as proposed in its six-point plan, to address service station operators concerns about predatory pricing and misuse of market power is particularly welcomed by service station operators.

Service station operators have long been arguing that the Trade Practices Act needs to be strengthened. Amending the Trade Practices Act to introduce a right that will guarantee independent wholesalers and retailers access to fuel supplies from major oil companies' terminals on fair terms and at fair prices should assist in ensuring that the retail market remains competitive in the long term.

MTAA also welcomes Mr Latham's commitment to collective bargaining for small business and notes that changes to the Trade Practices Act to introduce that right were recommended by both the Dawson Review of the Trade Practices Act and the recent Senate Economics Committee report on the Trade Practices Act.

MTAA believes that the proposed changes will help a secure a fairer and more transparent wholesale petroleum market and also secure for the long term a competitive retail market; thus benefiting consumers.

For further information please contact Michael Delaney, Executive Director MTAA on 02 6273 4333.