Fed: Public right to be angy at petrol price rises, says Howard

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2001
Fed: Public right to be angy at petrol price rises, says Howard

CANBERRA, April 27 AAP - The public had a right to be angry at the pre-Anzac Day petrol
price jump, Prime Minister John Howard said today.

Unleaded petrol in metropolitan areas went up as high as $1.08 a litre.

Mr Howard has called for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
to examine the prices and the ACCC is investigating whether there were price-fixing agreements
between the petrol companies.

"The public anger at the sharp increase on Anzac Day is palpable and understandable
and I want that investigated and the ACCC has the power to do it," he told reporters.

"The ACCC should throw the book at the companies if there's any evidence of collusion."

Asked if oil companies could win public sympathy by saying they deserved a fair go,
Mr Howard said: "I think the Australian consumers deserve a fair go, they're the people
I'm most concerned about, the Australian consumers getting a fair go at the bowser."

High world oil prices for the past two years were the main reason for high domestic
prices, he said.

"But when you have a big jump like this on a public holiday, and it seems to happen
in most parts of the country, the public is entitled to react negatively and I want that
investigated," Mr Howard said.

AAP fh/ns/de

KEYWORD: PETROL HOWARD (CARRIED EARLIER)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.