Fed: Xenophon says he won't scratch backs to pass bills=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2008
Fed: Xenophon says he won't scratch backs to pass bills=2

Senator Xenophon admits he "jumped the gun" in supporting moves to introduce FuelWatch
into South Australia four years ago.

He has admitted that when he was a South Australian politician he believed FuelWatch
was a good idea.

"But then I set up a parliamentary inquiry," Senator Xenophon told the Nine Network.

"I was part of that inquiry process, and in the course of that inquiry process it became
quite clear that if you want to tackle the whole issue of fuel prices effectively, the
best way to do that is to tackle the issue of competition amongst the big four oil companies."

In a press release from four years ago, Senator Xenophon instructed the South Australian
parliamentary council to draft legislation to introduce a similar scheme, and supported
moves to lock in petrol prices 24 hours in advance.

"I did my homework after that... I spoke to the motoring bodies, I jumped the gun and
I admit that and I'll stand judge to that."

When asked if the apparent backflip was a characteristic of him as a Senator, he replied:
"I hope not, I live and learn and I learnt from that mistake."

AAP srj/

KEYWORD: PETROL XENOPHON 2 CANBERRA (REOPENS)

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