The Northern Territory Government has announced it will limit service stations to one price change a day, in a move aimed at increasing certainty for consumers at the bowser.
Treasurer Bill Yan said the CLP government would follow in the footsteps of states including Western Australia and Victoria to impose price locks, preventing multiple price hikes throughout the day.
“We’ve discussed changing regulations to lock in prices for a 24 hour period for retailers,” Mr Yan said.
“They get to a chance to change their price once a day to provide certainly to Territorians that the fuel price they see in the morning is the same they see in the afternoon.
“This is another step to provide that clarity on pricing for consumers and end prices jumping multiple times per day.”
It comes as the government has issued dozens of ‘please explain’ notices to petrol and diesel retailers found to have above average prices.
Meanwhile the Labor opposition says the government must do more to support the tourism industry as the ongoing fuel crisis threatens visitor numbers, and increases operating costs.
“Tourism operators in the Northern Territory are heading into what should be their busiest time of year, and instead they are facing real uncertainty,” Nightcliff MLA Ed Smelt said.
This week Jetstar announced it would “temporarily” cut its Darwin-Gold Coast route, amid a five per cent service reduction across Qantas Group.
“This is a direct hit to visitation before the peak season has even properly begun,” Mr Smelt said.
“This has been building for weeks on the back of severe weather events and yet we have seen very little from the CLP government about what they are actually doing to support the sector.
“We are hearing directly from operators and key stakeholders that they are not getting clear communication or any real support. They are trying to plan, keep staff on, and keep their businesses running, and they are being left to figure it out on their own.”
Labor called for interventions including targeted marketing support, expanding the Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme, and short term practical support delivered in partnership with industry stakeholders.
Extracted in full from: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/northern-territory-to-lock-fuel-prices-for-24-hours-to-stop-daily-hikes/news-story/f2bac2014a1595aea5db9b1a16a50b22
