Australia: Petrol Commissioner Resigns
|
|
|
|
Friday, 01 August 2008 |
|
Australia's petrol commissioner Pat Walker has resigned for personal
reasons and is returning to Perth, the federal government says.
His resignation will take effect in two months, Assistant Treasurer Chris Bowen says. "Personal circumstances had necessitated Mr Walker's decision to
leave the role so he could once again base himself in Perth," he said
in statement.
Mr Walker was appointed the nation's first petrol commissioner in
February as part of the Rudd government's pre-election commitment to
promote competition and transparency in the petrol market. His responsibility is to oversee the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's monitoring of fuel prices.
Mr Walker would continue to hold petrol retailers and the oil
companies to account until his resignation took effect, Mr Bowen said. His resignation comes as the government prepares for the introduction of a national FuelWatch scheme in December. Mr Walker was the architect of a similar scheme now operating in Western Australia.
"Of course, Mr Walker has been instrumental in highlighting the
benefits of Fuelwatch in improving competitive outcomes and giving
motorists the information they need to find petrol at the cheapest
possible prices, with certainty," Mr Bowen said. The government will make an announcement about a new petrol
commissioner in coming weeks, in consultation with the states and
territories, he said.
PetrolWorld 310708
|
