Local Nationals Members are urging country people to have their say on regional fuel prices through a Victorian parliamentary inquiry.

The Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the Liberal-Nationals Coalition had fought hard to establish the inquiry, which will work to provide regional Victorians with answers on how petrol prices are determined in country areas.

“Unlike other investigations into petrol prices, the spotlight will be on regional Victorian communities.

“While I will continue to fight for improved public transport, the reality is, public transport just isn’t an option for many regional Victorians and private transport is their only reliable means of getting from A to B.”

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, said he knew regional fuel prices were an issue that his constituents felt strongly about.

“People are concerned about high fuel prices and often question the difference between not just country and city areas, but from town to town.

“Victorians are facing enough hardships at the moment with rising energy prices, every dollar counts. We shouldn’t have to drive an extra 30km to the next town to save 10 cents a litre.”

The inquiry will compare the price of unleaded, diesel and LPG fuels in regional communities with metropolitan areas and other regional communities. It will also look at the impacts on country families, businesses and industry.

Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, Emma Kealy, said fuel is just one of the rising costs of living putting pressure on Victorian families and businesses.

Mr Bull and Mr O’Brien said they were hopeful that the inquiry will hold a hearing in Gippsland.

Submissions can be made until September 22, 2017.

More information, including how to make a submission, is available at http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/eejsc/article/3146.

Thursday, August 10, 2017