PLAN TO DELIVER GREATER TRANSPARENCY FOR MOTORISTS FACING RISING FUEL PRICES

Rising fuel prices triggered by instability and conflict in the Middle East are placing increasing pressure on families, farmers and small businesses across regional New South Wales, and Nationals Member for Clarence Richie Williamson says motorists deserve greater transparency at the bowser.

Mr Williamson has welcomed the NSW Liberals and Nationals’ commitment to introduce legislation aimed at delivering stronger consumer protections and greater certainty for motorists facing volatile petrol prices.

Mr Williamson said regional communities such as those across the Clarence and Richmond Valleys are particularly vulnerable to rising fuel costs, given residents rely heavily on their vehicles for work, school, medical appointments and everyday travel.

“People in regional communities simply don’t have the option of leaving the car at home,” Mr Williamson said.

“When global events drive up fuel prices, families and small businesses in the regions feel the impact immediately.”

Mr Williamson said the NSW Liberals and Nationals’ Fuel Transparency Plan would help provide motorists with greater certainty and protection from sudden price spikes.

Under Phase One of the plan, legislation would be introduced to establish a daily fuel price transparency scheme, modelled on reforms implemented in Victoria.

The scheme would require petrol stations to set and publicly report their maximum fuel price each day and lock it in for 24 hours, preventing sudden price increases and giving motorists confidence before they fill up.

“This is about giving motorists transparency and certainty when they pull into a service station,” Mr Williamson said.

“We want to make sure families are not being caught out by sudden price jumps and that they have the information they need to make informed decisions.”

The proposal would build on the NSW FuelCheck program introduced by the former Coalition Government in 2016, which allows motorists to compare fuel prices across service stations.

Key features of the proposed reforms include:

• A daily fuel price transparency scheme requiring retailers to publicly report and lock in maximum daily prices.

• Advance price notification so motorists can see the next day’s fuel price before arriving at the bowser.

• Strong penalties for non-compliance to prevent misleading or anti-competitive behaviour.

• Greater transparency and competition across the fuel market.

Mr Williamson said the Liberals and Nationals are also pushing for a review of regional fuel supply resilience to ensure communities are not left vulnerable during supply disruptions.

“Regional communities deserve fairer and more transparent fuel pricing,” Mr Williamson said.

“This plan is about helping protect families and small businesses from price shocks and ensuring the fuel market works more fairly for motorists.”

The NSW Liberals and Nationals are also calling on the Federal Government to provide greater support for the ACCC to investigate fuel price manipulation and strengthen enforcement powers where necessary.