Independent service stations face a bleak future after Labor sided with the Coalition to allow the Petroleum Retail Legislation Repeal Bill to pass through the Senate last night, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said.
VACC Executive Director, David Purchase said this meant petrol prices will come under the control of the big oil companies and the supermarket chains, Coles and Woolworths.
He said Labor Senators should be ashamed of themselves for failing to act against the “big boys” and failing to stand up for independent service station operators.
“Labor should have taken a stand against the Coalition, but instead it voted with it, leaving the Democrats, Greens, Senators Fielding and Joyce to stand up for independents,” he said.
“Once the independents are squeezed out of the market, the big oil companies and supermarkets can control the price of our fuel. And don’t kid yourself that prices won’t creep up.”
|
Well done Senators Fielding and Joyce
Mr Purchase said VACC applauds in particular Senators Fielding and Joyce for their strong stand on behalf of the independent service station sector.
"Senators Fielding and Joyce gave it their best shot.
"Senator Fielding's proposal to limit the number of petrol stations that operators could own to 25 per cent of the market, would have ensured the existence of independent operators and it's a great pity this and the Senators' other amendments were not supported."
|
Mr Purchase said VACC now wanted to see amendments to the Trade Practices Act to allow collective bargaining which is about the only means left for independents to use to fight for their rights.
“Essentially, all the independents want is to be able to purchase petrol at a fair and reasonable wholesale price and the passage of the Repeal Bill will do nothing to achieve this.
“The winners are the big oil companies and the supermarkets, while the losers are the independents, motorists and rural and regional communities,” he said.
