REDLANDS motorists could be paying more at the bowser for longer after LNP MPs voted against a proposal to cap fuel price increases, sparking a fierce political clash over cost-of-living relief, claims Springwood MP Mick de Brenni
Mr de Brenni said the Queensland Parliament this week rejected Labor’s Transport Affordability Bill, with local LNP MPs Amanda Stoker, Rebecca Young and Russell Field voting against the measure.
Mr de Brenni said the decision would hit Redlands families and businesses already grappling with rising costs.
“In the midst of an affordability crisis and a fuel price shock, the Crisafulli LNP Government has voted in favour of people from Cleveland to Mount Cotton paying more at the bowser more often,” Mr de Brenni said.
“It is a terrible outcome for the Redlands.”
He said the proposed laws would have capped fuel price increases at no more than five cents per day and required service stations to publicly post next-day prices, allowing motorists to better plan when to fill up.
Mr de Brenni said the rejection of the bill meant those savings would not materialise.
“Everyday motorists and transport companies big and small across the Redlands were betrayed by an LNP Premier, Amanda Stoker, Rebecca Young and Russell Field all who refused to vote in favour of urgently passing Labor’s laws to lower fuel prices,” he said.
“Redlanders will not forget this when they pay hundreds of extra dollars at the bowser, more at the grocery store and struggle to pay their bills.”
Fuel prices across South East Queensland have surged in recent weeks, with diesel reportedly reaching as high as $3.19 per litre and unleaded petrol climbing above $2.70 per litre.
Mr de Brenni accused the State Government of putting politics ahead of cost-of-living relief.
“David Crisafulli and his LNP MPs might think they’ve played a smart political game by voting down a Labor initiative, but what they’ve really done is ignore the very real financial pain everyday Redlanders are experiencing every day,” he said.
“Redlanders will not forget that when the LNP had the chance to vote in favour of the people, David Crisafulli and the LNP instead deliberately and cynically chose to put politics before people.”
Premier David Crisafulli has called for greater national transparency around fuel supply, urging the Federal Government to implement a real-time fuel monitoring system.
“On behalf of Queenslanders and Australians, we have been clear with the Federal Government,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“We have asked for a National Dashboard with clear and consistent information on the flow of fuel across the country.
“We want it at the same time each day.
“We want to give Australians clarity during this crisis.”
He said Australians needed “coordinated, consistent and clear information on fuel”, particularly as price pressures continue.
The Transport Affordability Bill is not expected to return to Parliament until at least November, leaving Redlands motorists facing ongoing uncertainty at the bowser.
