Kellie Sloane
Leader of the Opposition
NSW Liberal leader
Gurmesh Singh
NSW Nationals Leader
Tim James
Shadow Minister for Fair Trading
FUEL TRANSPARENCY AND SECURITY PLAN TO PROTECT NSW FAMILIES, BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRY FROM PETROL SHOCK
The NSW Liberals and Nationals today announced a New South Wales Fuel Transparency Plan, committing to introduce legislation to deliver greater transparency, stronger enforcement and long-term protection for motorists facing rising petrol prices.
The announcement follows reports of regional service stations running dry and warnings of further fuel price spikes, highlighting the vulnerability of families and businesses to global shocks and supply disruptions.
Under Phase One of the plan, the NSW Liberals and Nationals would move quickly to introduce legislation in the upcoming Parliamentary Sittings to establish a daily fuel price transparency and cap reporting scheme, modelled on reforms recently implemented in Victoria.
The Victorian system requires petrol stations to set and publicly report their maximum price each day and lock it in for 24 hours, preventing sudden price spikes and giving motorists certainty before they fill up.
The Opposition will seek to introduce similar legislation in NSW to provide a structural solution that protects households from volatile fuel pricing.
Key elements of the NSW Fuel Transparency Plan include:
1. Daily fuel price transparency scheme requiring retailers to publicly report and lock in maximum daily fuel prices
2. Advance price notification, allowing motorists to see the next day's fuel price before arriving at the bowser
3. Strong penalties for non-compliance, targeting operators who attempt to mislead consumers or manipulate prices
4. Greater competition and transparency, helping drivers compare prices and find the best deal
5. A review of regional fuel supply resilience
This reform would build on NSW's existing fuel price reporting system Fuel Check, introduced by the Coalition in 2016, while introducing stronger consumer protections and greater certainty for motorists.
Phase Two of the plan will be the NSW Fuel Security and Resilience Strategy that will be implemented if elected in 2027. It will focus on strengthening New South Wales against future supply shocks by looking at the need to expand storage capacity, examining opportunities for domestic fuel production including low carbon fuels, and properly mapping the links between electricity, gas and liquid fuels.
This work will include a statewide audit of storage and supply chain vulnerabilities, targeted planning for additional diesel reserves at critical locations such as Port Kembla, Newcastle and regional hubs, and detailed modelling of how failures in one part of the energy system can cascade across the rest.
The NSW Chief Scientist has made clear that diesel is playing a growing role in electricity reliability, that New South Wales remains exposed by limited refining and storage capacity, and that government must better prepare for compounding energy shocks.
In addition, the NSW Liberals and Nationals are urging the Federal Labor Government to:
6. Provide additional enforcement resources to the ACCC to investigate fuel price manipulation
7. Strengthen powers to act against price gouging or anti-competitive behaviour
8. Increase oversight of fuel supply chains during periods of international disruption
Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said the current volatility in global energy markets demonstrated the need for structural reform.
"Families shouldn't have to gamble on a petrol price that might change the minute before they drive into the petrol station," Ms Sloane said.
"Our plan will give motorists certainty, transparency and protection against sudden price spikes."
"This is about ensuring Australian families are not being ripped off when global events put pressure on fuel supply."
NSW Nationals Leader Gurmesh Singh and Shadow Minister for Agriculture Brendan Moylan have both made representations to Federal Labor on behalf of the NSW Liberals and Nationals.
Mr Singh said the worst price gouging is happening in our regional communities, and only the Liberals and Nationals have a plan to help protect fuel supply and stop families from being ripped off.
Shadow Minister for Fair Trading Tim James said state governments can improve transparency and competition in the market as well as preparedness.
"This is about future-proofing the fuel market in New South Wales, so households and small businesses are not constantly at the mercy of global disruptions," Mr James said.
"But the Federal Government must also ensure the national regulator has the powers and resources required to crack down on dodgy operators."
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said it welcomed the announcement.
"This scheme has been in place in WA, Perth is Australia's cheapest city consistently for fuel prices and the NRMA does not believe this is entirely coincidental," Mr Khoury said.
"We are pleased the proposal is on the table and will be monitoring prices closely because we believe this can make a difference."
