Following recent media coverage around the number of occasions representatives from the ethanol industry met with politicians and the number of alleged jobs the industry may or may not create, the NRMA has reminded opponents that these policies mattered to families.

Among the suite of reforms passed by the NSW Parliament the NRMA strongly supports:

- Forcing all service stations to publish their prices online in real time.

- IPART controlling the wholesale price of ethanol in NSW.

- The E10 Mandate, which aims to set ethanol at six per cent of all fuel sold in NSW with exemptions for selected smaller independent service stations.

The NRMA has expressed concern at the growing disconnect between the public debate currently taking place and the reality faced by motorists filling up every day. 

The government’s decision to regulate the wholesale price of ethanol through IPART will ensure the three-to-four cent discount for E10 be passed on to the public, as opposed to the current gap of 1.5 to two cents per litre being offered by the major oil companies. The NRMA points to the United independent service stations as an example.

United have their own ethanol supply and consistently sell E10 at four cents per litre cheaper than its regular unleaded brand. As a result almost half of all fuel sold in their service stations are E10.

The government’s reforms mean the weight of power in NSW have finally tipped to favour motorists at the expense of the major oil companies.

These reforms championed by NSW Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Victor Dominello give more power to the community and the oil companies don’t like that one bit.

Bizarrely, the oil companies have claimed that these important reforms will force petrol prices up eight cents per litre. This is a very specific prediction from an industry that notoriously struggles to explain why their prices can jump as high as 30 cents a litre within minutes.

The oil companies have been helping themselves to extra profit by not passing on the full discount for E10 and the government’s decision to regulate the wholesale price of ethanol through IPART will bring to light the real price that we should be charged for E10.

Also, the major oil companies have been sharing price movements among themselves while locking out the rest of the community, which is why the NSW government was forced to make online, real-time prices mandatory for all service stations. It is rare to see bi-partisan support in the Parliament these days but these important pieces of legislation rightly attracted bi-partisan support and they also have the full support of the NRMA.

Kyle Loades

President

NRMA 

THE Wine Grapes Marketing Board recently held election of members that had the election of a new member to the board from Leeton.  

Frank Alampi was elected by growers following an average response to the poll by regional growers. As a result a casual vacancy on the board was created that has since been filled by Dominic Schirripa from Hanwood.

Brian Simpson

CEO

Wine Grapes Marketing Board