The Senate Economics Estimates hearing with the ACCC shows there is still a long way to go before any reprieve is seen for the Australian consumer and their plight with escalating fuel and food prices.

Senator Joyce said "We appear to have only travelled from the point of view by the Government of 'There is no problem' to one of 'There is a problem but we do not know what to do about it.'

"The ACCC gave a very involved explanation of inertia in the body's desire to deal with the problems of cartel like behaviour in an overcentralised market. Mr Samuel gave reference to the voluminous 'purple book', otherwise known as the 'report of the ACCC inquiry into the price of unleaded petrol', as an explanation as to why a motorist will get different prices in different suburbs, an ongoing point of frustration in the quickly shrinking family budget.

"I do not lay the blame solely with the ACCC and I am more interested in the required move forward in the Trade Practices Act that has to stand in proxy for the lack of market players. It is far more desirable to have multiple players for a fairer deal for consumers but the time to prevent overcentralisation is past and we must now encourage new players into the market to alleviate the current market problem.

"The ACCC must pursue cases under the Birdsville Amendment and actively lobby for the increase in powers under Section 51AC to protect against the excessive pressure an overcentralised retail market places on farmers and suppliers, at one level, and competitors who try enter at a retail level.

"The new Petrol Commissioner would have to have the same results as the ACCC because he has the same powers, so do not expect the earth to move on that issue. The only real solution is for the public to support the changes in the Trade Practices Act that take us into line with the US on such things as divestiture powers and the active encouragement, by both government and consumers, of the broadening of the retail market in both fuel and food, key drivers of inflation.

"From the support of ethanol as a more affordable alternative to oil based fuel and the partisan support of small business competitors, who have thus far had to stand alone against the ravages of the supermarket majors, the time to act is now, if we are serious.