Queensland Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce has secured a hearing of the up coming Senate Inquiry into Petrol Pricing for the rural Queensland community of Goondiwindi.

Situated about 400kms south-west of Brisbane, Goondiwindi is a strong regional centre currently enjoying good growth and prosperity.

“Goondiwindi has grown considerably in recent years and is just one of several communities in rural Queensland benefiting from what the Nationals have achieved in Government,” Senator Joyce said.

“A town like Goondiwindi relies heavily on all petroleum products and, as such, I thought it would be as good a place as any to hear first hand accounts of the crippling effects of high petrol prices,” he said.

“A vibrant agricultural and transport sector is the hub of communities like Gundy, so it’s imperative we hear from them directly of their experiences,” he said.

The Senate Economics Legislation Committee is inquiring into the price of petrol in Australia, with particular reference to:
a. the relationship between the landed price of crude oil, refining
costs, the wholesale price and the retail price of petrol;
b. regional differences in the retail price of petrol;
c. variations in the retail price of petrol at particular times;
d. the industry’s integrated structure; and
e. any other related matters.

It is anticipated the hearings will include three sittings, with one scheduled for Goondiwindi on 23 August, 2006.

For further details visit the Senate’s Committee website outlined below.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/index.htm