Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis met with the minister to discuss ways the government could investigate high local fuel prices and urged him to consider directing the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to apply a targeted, problem-solving approach in its petrol monitoring role.

The ACCC is taking on the fuel retailers to try to get regional prices reduced, including taking action against a website that retailers seem to be using to co-ordinate prices.

While aware of the problem, being from a regional area himself, Mr Billson did not commit to an investigation of local pricing.

“This could shine a light on glaring differences, such as the excessive petrol prices in some regional areas,” Mrs Sudmalis said.

“I presented the concerns of our local residents about the high cost of fuel in our region to the minister, describing how fuel prices in the Shoalhaven and Kiama have often been up to 25c per litre higher than prices just a few kilometres outside of Gilmore in Albion Park.”

She said the use of the ACCC to investigate local prices was discussed.

“We discussed how the Abbott government will not make the same mistake of making unrealistic promises when it comes to the cost of fuel like the previous Labor government,” she said.

“The previous government promised to lower the cost of petrol through FuelWatch and the appointment of a Petrol Commissioner but those measures were a spectacular failure.”

She said the government was undertaking a review of Australia’s competition framework.

“The review is to ensure the law is fit for purpose in today’s economy,” she said.

“It will include ways to address regional fuel problems.

“The ACCC currently monitors petrol markets and produces a report once a year summarising its findings.”