Media Release

Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has come out swinging at the major petrol retailers who have failed to pass on falling oil prices to consumers at the petrol bowser in the lead up to Christmas.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has reported that despite falling oil prices, savings have not been passed onto consumers and ACCC Chairman Rod Sims has labelled the conduct of the major petrol retailers as ‘fairly aggressive’.

Mr Katter said today that it’s something the Australian people should just not have to cop, particularly at Christmas.

“It is outrageous that the oil companies would continue to extort the Australian people in the lead up to Christmas when so many are setting out to see loved ones.

“Those in regional Australia have it hardest as they set out on long drives – people in my homeland of Mt Isa Cloncurry can’t afford the $1,500 it costs to get an aeroplane to Townsville to see their families.

“So we praise Rod Sims of the ACCC in highlighting this issue as he is the only person in his position who has showed the slightest scintilla of integrity - most of his predecessors took their pay under false pretenses.

“As my great mate Bernie O’Shea (Secretary of Rural Action Council) would say – they’re not a watch dog, they’re a lap dog. But with Simsy there the lap dog’s got a bit of bite.”

Mr Katter also said it would be a far cheaper road trip at Christmas if we were all using ethanol.

“We pray that Santa Claus will bring us ethanol for Christmas, so that like the US and Brazil we can fill up for .80 c per litre instead of 130 c per litre.

“$23,000 million has been taken out of our pockets by Governments and sent to the Middle East to buy oil, when it could be going into the pockets of our poor broken farmers, into rescuing the sugar industry, the grains industry and the cattle industry.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that money was going back to rural Australia this Christmas?”

Mr Katter said that ultimately it was the oil companies and major petrol retailers propelling the myths about ethanol - the same companies who were jacking up the price at the bowser.

“The same people who tell us that ethanol wrecks your car are those who are ripping us off at the bowser.

“They’re the same people who tempt our politicians – who’s collective brains would fit on a pinhead so they’re easily duped – but I’d expect more from my fellow Australians than voting for these puppets of the oil companies.

“Give Australia a nice present this Christmas – put some people who love Australia into Parliament.

“And remember that we Australians will win in the end – because we won’t keep copping this anymore,” Mr Katter said.