The Fyles government performed a stunning backflip today, refusing to even debate lower fuel prices for Territorians.
Leader of the Opposition Lia Finocchiaro said the Labor government didn’t even understand how the parliament worked.
“Minister after minister came out in question time, spruiking about how much they wanted to debate the Bill, thinking that it couldn’t be brought on,” she said.
“But when it was in fact brought on and they were given the opportunity, Labor put their tail between their legs and ran for cover.”
Mrs Finocchiaro said the Opposition had been working on solutions to excessive fuel prices for a long time.
“It’s disappointing the Fyles government has shot down the solution we put forward (which was actually recommended by the ACCC) without putting any other solution on the table,” she said.
“The Territory deserves fuel prices in line with other states. The Territory deserves better than this Fyles government.”
The Opposition sought leave to reorder proceedings in a manner advised by the Clerk but Labor refused to give leave.
The Opposition then sought to suspend standing orders to allow for the Fuel Bill to be brought on and Labor forced a division, voting it down again.
“We wouldn’t have cared if they bought forward amendments to make this legislation better, but they haven’t even done that – they’ve done nothing,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
“This now means Natasha Fyles has sat on her hands, rubbished the CLP Opposition’s bill while saying they wanted to debate it and then voted against that happening.” “It is clear that Natasha Fyles and Labor are more interested in defending oil companies than they are in helping Territorians.
ENDS