FED: PM diverts pressure onto opposition over petrol prices

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2008
FED: PM diverts pressure onto opposition over petrol prices

CANBERRA, April 18 AAP - Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has accused Opposition Leader Brendan
Nelson of "sitting on the fence" over the controversial FuelWatch scheme.

Mr Rudd announced on Tuesday that from December 15 petrol stations would be forced
to publish pump prices 24 hours in advance in an effort to provide greater choice for
motorists.

Dr Nelson has labelled the move a stunt but refused to say whether or not the coalition
would support the FuelWatch legislation through parliament.

Mr Rudd says that's not good enough.

"My challenge to the leader of the opposition is we can't get our national FuelWatch
scheme through the parliament unless the Liberal Party support it in the Senate, it's
as simple as that," Mr Rudd told the Nine Network.

"So he can't sit on the fence.

"Does he support it or does he oppose it."

The prime minister says despite a chorus of criticism he still believes FuelWatch will
benefit motorists.

"You can either sit back and do nothing or you can act," he said.

Since being elected the government had given the Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission more powers to investigate fuel prices, appointed a petrol commissioner and
now promised a national FuelWatch scheme, Mr Rudd said.

"These are three things done which were not done under the previous government."

AAP jcd/sjw/mn

KEYWORD: PETROL RUDD

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