Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi says the government will act after a report confirms consumers are paying more than what would be expected in a competitive fuel market.
The Commerce Commission released its recommendations today on New Zealand’s fuel market following a year-long study.
It found that New Zealand lacks an active wholesale fuel market and has recommended introducing a Terminal Gate Pricing regime, similar to that in Australia.
Read more about the Commerce Commission’s findings here.
Faafoi said cabinet will now look at implementing changes aimed at breaking the stranglehold the big fuel companies have on supply, and encouraging more competition.
One such change will be opening up the supply to other players.
He said when competition is introduced, prices drop.
“The example I am aware of is when Gull came to Wellsford, prices dropped by around 18c a litre. The local example here in Upper Hutt when Waitomo came to town earlier this year, they dropped their price by 32c a litre. Some 24 hours later competitors did that too.
“So I think what we are trying to do here is encourage retail market competition.”
Faafoi said legislation making the necessary changes to the market structure, along with an enforceable code of conduct, will be expedited and should be passed by next year.
Meanwhile, National’s Transport spokesperson Chris Bishop has put the blame on the government, saying fuel taxes are putting up prices at the fuel pump.
“New Zealanders are being ripped off at the petrol pump and it’s the government who is picking their pockets through all the fuel tax hikes it has introduced these past two years.
“The extra revenue it has collected from increased fuel excise, road user charges and the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax has already hit $565 million – that’s $319 per household.
“Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is the Fleecer-in-Chief. Her Government’s tax grab will hit $1.7 billion once further tax hikes – already passed into law – take effect down the line.
“This stings because motorists are getting nothing in return.”
This article was originally published on RNZ and re-published with permission.
