Fed: Labor to move for Senate inquiry on petrol prices

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2000
Fed: Labor to move for Senate inquiry on petrol prices

Labor will move tomorrow to establish a Senate inquiry into petrol pricing following
massive increases in the cost of fuel at the pump.

The proposed inquiry will look at whether federal taxes have played a part in petrol
prices spiralling above $1 per litre in many regions.

It will also canvass the idea of funneling tax revenue into transport initiatives.

Opposition treasury spokesman SIMON CREAN says the inquiry is needed to get to the
truth on petrol tax.

The Australian Automobile Association estimates the government will reap a windfall
of more than $1 billion in extra revenue from rising petrol prices this year.

But the proposal seems doomed after the Australian Democrats, the party which holds
the balance of power in the Senate, condemned it as a waste of time.

Democrats Leader MEG LEES says the ALP has no credibility on petrol pricing as it introduced
the automatic indexation of fuel excise.

AAP RTV daw/wz

KEYWORD: PETROL (CANBERRA)

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