NSW: State govt refuses federal ethanol labelling edict
SYDNEY, Dec 18 AAP - The NSW government has refused to comply with a federal requestfor states to label ethanol levels in petrol, Fair Trading Minister John Aquilina saidtoday.
Mr Aquilina said NSW would not be forced into labelling ethanol content while the federalgovernment refused to guarantee fuel quality.
Federal Environment Minister David Kemp yesterday put the onus on state governmentsto label ethanol content at the pump, saying he would legislate if they failed to actby February.
But he refused to cap the maximum level of ethanol at 10 per cent because he said debateon the effect of blends on car engines was inconclusive.
Mr Aquilina said the federal government was abrogating its responsibility to monitorfuel quality.
"Rather than show some leadership on a national issue, the federal government wantsthe states to label fuel while it refuses to come clean on safe levels of ethanol content,"
he said.
"Without clear and consistent national standards, it is impossible to provide any consistencyin labelling advice to consumers.
"Until the commonwealth makes up its mind on what level of ethanol is safe and enforcesa consistent standard, unilateral state action would be futile."
Mr Aquilina said ethanol could be added during the manufacture, wholesale and retailof petrol, and free interstate trading emphasised the need for a national approach.
"It is entirely possible that fuel manufactured under one state's guidelines couldbe sold across borders as though it complied with its neighbouring state's label," hesaid.
"The NSW government will not give tacit approval to federal government inconsistencythrough a labelling system that could mislead people at the petrol pump.
"Dr Kemp is sending out mixed messages to Australian consumers. They deserve betterthan non-action by the federal government."
AAP csd/nf/cjh/sb
KEYWORD: ETHANOL NSW
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