The Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association, representing petroleum distributors and petrol convenience retailers across Australia, believe the 23 point policy plan proposed by the Coalition addresses many of the concerns the Association has for small to medium business in the fuel industry.

“ACAPMA has called on all parties contesting this election to clearly articulate how they will help small businesses,” said ACAPMA CEO, Nic Moulis.

“Reviewing the Coalition’s policy has us confident that they have been listening to our appeals and are ready to take action that supports the growth of independent businesses in the fuel industry.
“We know that for the smaller independent operators in the fuel industry to have a chance we need, fairer competition, easier employment, simpler taxation, new infrastructure and red tape to be reduced.

“Specifically, this means that there must be a review of the competition framework, better flexibility arrangements in employment contracts, a lowering of company tax and the removal of the forthcoming carbon tax on diesel fuel; which in its first year could cost the Australian economy over $500 million in higher diesel prices.

“There is also the requirement to plan for a National Framework for Petroleum Infrastructure.

“By providing a framework that encourages independent fuel supply, there will be a greater level of price competition as well as higher levels of service.

“Where there has been the development of open access terminals for petroleum storage we are seeing new marketing investment emerge and with that renewed wholesale competition.”

Mr Moulis highlighted the importance of the fuel industry when he commented that operators in convenience and petroleum marketing employ over 42,000 Australians (many in regional and rural communities), serve more than 3 million people each day and collect over $20 billion for the Government in combined GST and excise on fuel every year. Of the 6,600 service stations across Australia, 66 per cent are operated by small to medium independent businesses.

“ACAPMA Members know that a prosperous small to medium independent sector in the fuel industry allows for individuals and companies to generate wealth, securing not only their future income but revenue in future Australian budgets.

“What has been concerning is that a lack of support for small businesses in the fuel industry has seen, over the last four years, almost 1,000 service stations close their doors for the last time.
“The outcome of this could be a fuel industry that includes only large multinational companies.

“It is our hope that a strong plan for small business will reverse this trend.”

Background:

The Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association (ACAPMA) is a notforprofit employer organisation that has represented the interests of businesses in the petroleum distribution and petrol convenience industries for over 38 years.

As the leading association and national peak body responsible for the development and growth of the petroleum distribution and petrol convenience retail industries, ACAPMA members include over 90 per cent of the 120 businesses that operate in petroleum distribution and storage, while representing through direct ownership, operation or supply – over 3,500 service stations. ACAPMA’s membership profile in the main is independent smalltomedium businesses operating in metropolitan as
well as regional and rural Australia.

For more information about Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association (ACAPMA), visit http://www.acapma.com.au
ACAPMA CEO, Nic Moulis.