Thursday, 20 March 2025

Melton electorate fuel prices

Steve McGHIE (Melton) (00:28): (1084) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Consumer Affairs, and the action I seek is for the minister to seriously consider the findings of a Parliamentary intern report which undertook a thorough investigation into the factors contributing to the excessively high fuel prices in Melton as part of the design of the Allan Labor government’s fair fuel plan. My constituents in Melton are consistently paying significantly more for fuel than those in neighbouring suburbs, despite similar market conditions. On multiple occasions I have raised concerns in this Parliament about the ongoing burden these inflated fuel prices place on Melton residents. The issue remains unresolved, and the discrepancies in pricing continue to unfairly disadvantage our community.

In response to these concerns, I commissioned the Parliamentary intern to undertake a detailed analysis of fuel prices in Melton. The findings of this report provide clear evidence of non-competitive pricing behaviour in the area – price gouging. Despite the presence of 12 petrol stations, the lack of independent operators appears to have resulted in uniform pricing that is noticeably higher than in similar western suburbs, and by contrast, other regions with comparable characteristics experience greater competition and more reasonable pricing. This report reinforces what my constituents already know, which is that they are being forced to pay higher prices without a legitimate economic justification. The disparity is particularly concerning given the demographic profile of Melton, which includes many working families who rely heavily on their vehicles for daily travel. The additional financial strain caused by high fuel costs has a direct impact on household budgets, exacerbating cost-of-living pressures.

In addition, I have corresponded with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission regarding this matter. In my letters to the ACCC I outlined the clear and sustained price differences between Melton and nearby areas such as Bacchus Marsh and Taylors Hill, where prices can be as much as 44 cents per litre cheaper than what they are in Melton. These figures suggest the need for urgent intervention to ensure fair competition and consumer protection.

I urge the minister to take seriously the findings of the report and to help address these ongoing issues. Residents of Melton deserve the same fair and competitive fuel prices as those in surrounding suburbs. By prioritising an investigation into the factors behind these price discrepancies, the government can provide much-needed relief to our community. I look forward to the minister’s response.