Bunbury MLA Don Punch is determined to get an explanation on why Bunbury drivers pay more for petrol than other regional towns.
As a result, Mr Punch is urging the community to sign a petition demanding answers.
“It’s calling for action in getting an explanation as to why we seem to be paying more for petrol in Bunbury than most other places in regional WA on a consistent basis,” he said.
“It’s basically seeking action at a federal level to see if we can get some answers to that question.
“I’m really determined to find an explanation for the people of Bunbury, it has been raised with me continuously.”
The petition will be sent to WA federal senator Louise Pratt calling for action on regional pricing structures in WA.
Mr Punch said he hoped to get 25,000 signatures.
“If you’re concerned about petrol pricing in Bunbury, we need as many as we can get because the more signatures we get, the greater the ability to influence an outcome at a federal level,” he said.
“People are pretty outraged out there and I think if they had an explanation as to why, that would go a long way to dealing with that outrage but by the same token if there is not a good explanation and we’re paying more then the people who are charging more need to have a think about what they’re doing.
“I would like to see fuel prices down absolutely, there may well be a good reason why fuel prices are the way they are, if there is so be it but in the absence of a good reason I would expect to see fuel prices comparable to other regional areas.
“In the past we’ve always compared fuel prices in the bush to the metropolitan area, so this is the first time as far as I’m aware that we’ve had a look at comparative fuel prices in regional areas and that’s where the diversity really started to shine for us.”
Bunbury resident Bernadette Butler has been following the issue and said it was frustrating to see how much higher fuel prices were in Bunbury compared with other regional towns.
“Either bring us in line with Perth prices or just below but not paying 30 cents a litre more,” she said.
“By bringing it to the attention of the public hopefully they will then support the petition – we need people to get behind the movement in order to make a change.”
For more information contact Mr Punch’s electoral office on 9791 3636.