It is clear from the polls that voters believe Kevin Rudd promised to do something about rising petrol and grocery prices before the federal election last year. Nick Xenophon put his finger on the Government’s problem of balancing perception and reality when he said: “I just don’t think [FuelWatch is] going to do what it’s meant to do.”
Family First senator Steve Fielding has suggested that Assistant Treasurer Chris Bowen is so convinced it will work he can test it in his own home state first. But another key crossbench senator, independent Nick Xenophon, says FuelWatch’s 24-hour rule is a “dead parrot” that cannot be fixed.
The Australian: Kevin Rudd accused the Coalition of siding with big oil companies over the FuelWatch scheme today, as the Government conceded it was prepared to “listen” to key senators to secure support.
Assistant Treasurer Chris Bowen extended an olive branch to crossbench senators over FuelWatch, admitting the Government would accept legislative amendments after it became [...]
Although the final results may not be known for days, commentators are predicting that Labor will return to government with a one-seat majority. It is the first chink in Labor’s historic hold on power federally and in every state and territory across the nation.
The six month Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry largely absolved the big two of direct responsibility for the surge in food prices of the past five years, instead blaming global demand and supply changes, higher production costs and the drought.
The Prime Minister campaigned extensively in the lead-up to last year’s election on cost-of-living pressures faced by families. But Consumer Affairs Minister Chris Bowen yesterday said the Government could not guarantee prices would be lowered by the measures flowing from the grocery inquiry.
Pat Walker has had responsibility for the controversial Fuel Watch petrol price-monitoring scheme. Assistant Treasurer Chris Bowen confirmed today that Mr Walker’s departure would take effect by October.