FuelWatch 'dead in the water' (1 Viewer)

[Rafy]

FuelWatch running on empty

THE Federal Government's planned FuelWatch system to regulate petrol prices appears dead in the water after a key balance-of-power senator decided to vote against the legislation.

The South Australian anti-gambling campaigner Senator Nick Xenophon revealed late yesterday he would not support the scheme because it would hurt small independent petrol retailers and could actually push up petrol prices.

The senator's stance will sink FuelWatch because the Government has to secure the votes of all minor parties to pass the legislation through the new Senate.

This is a big blow for the Government - already under attack over its handling of the economy and preparing for the return of Parliament for the crucial spring session in three weeks.

The Government won office by promising to exert downward pressure on the cost-of-living.

FuelWatch, which is not planned to come into operation until December, has been criticised since it was announced as a key element of the Government's response to rising prices.[...]

 

[katie tully]

I am pretty much going to punch the first lefty I see in the face.

Twice.

 

[Slidey]

That's the problem with lefties - they don't consider things on their merits, but rather how the fall into the some black and white ideological dichotomy. Actually that's the problem with a lot of righties, too. Anyway, while I admire the attempt to regulate the price of oil at the source (because it is a rather out of control market), that source seems too volatile to pinpoint for an attempt like this to be successful. I'm not an economist, though.

Moreover, I want oil prices to rise so people use their brains more than their cars.

Granted, it's still wrong to make the assessment that "all the arguments we used against it were valid." simply because Xenophon vetoed it, as cool as his name is.

 

[Snaykew]

Holy shit his name is Xenophon? MAKE HIM THE FUHRER OF AUSTRALIA!

 

[Iron]

Mandate blocked. Dissolve senate. Well may we say etc

 

[spiny norman]

Granted, it's still wrong to make the assessment that "all the arguments we used against it were valid." simply because Xenophon vetoed it, as cool as his name is.

Maybe all their arguments against it were that it won't get through the Senate?

 

[chicky_pie]

Rudd loses yet again.

 

[Rafy]

Fielding joins Xenophon in refusing to support FuelWatch

FAMILY First Senator Steve Fielding has joined independent Nick Xenophon in confirming he will not support the Government's FuelWatch scheme.

 

[Slidey]

Maybe all their arguments against it were that it won't get through the Senate?

Check and mate!

 

[Riet]

But Reichsfueher Rudd said it would lower prices?

 

[zstar]

Rudd the dud unable to get anything done anymore.

 

[jb_nc]

If Rudd is so hell bent on reducing petrol prices, why not introduce a "government" line of petrol stations, to challenge the big providers. If he is so certain that they are rorting the public, the govt operations will have cheaper prices, leading to (you'd hope) reduced prices across the board.


No?

Insane idea, I know.

i don't think he's really a generalissimo