The parliamentary inquiry into fuel prices in regional Victoria is now accepting public submissions.

The Economic, Education, Jobs and Skills Committee is examining the factors affecting fuel prices in regional locations and their impact on the community.

“Fuel prices in regional areas can be higher than in capital cities, which increases business expenses and the cost of living,” said Committee Chair Mr Nazih Elasmar.

“The Committee is interested in hearing from individuals and businesses in regional Victoria about how fuel prices are affecting them.

“We also would like to hear about the impact on Victorian industry.”

Mr Elasmar said the Committee will investigate fuel-pricing discrepancies between Melbourne and regional Victoria as well as between regional locations. It will also consider interstate initiatives to reduce fuel prices and increase pricing transparency.

“Some states have introduced mandatory fuel price reporting to give consumers access to real-time petrol prices and try to increase competition,” he said.

“The Committee will consider these schemes along with the types of online systems that Victorian motorists could use to compare fuel prices.”

Submissions to the inquiry are open until 22 September 2017.

Details on how to make a submission and the inquiry’s terms of reference are available from the Committee’s Website
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Contact the Victorian Parliament’s Communications Manager, Andres Lomp on 8682 2814 or news@parliament.vic.gov.au

Issued: 8 August 2017