XN000022-1978-05-24 — Page 16

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1978

DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978

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A BILL TO IMPLEMENT A PROPOSAL MADE IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET SPEECH TO MAKE IT AN OFFENCE TO RUN A CAR OR ANY OTHER VEHICLE ON KEROSENE OR A MIXTURE OF DIESEL OIL AND KEROSENE WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, THE HON. DAVID JORDAN SAID OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE HAD DISCOVERED THAT AN INCREASING NUMBER OF VEHICLE OWNERS AND DRIVERS WERE MIXING KEROSENE WITH DIESEL OIL IN THEIR FUEL TANKS.

HE SAID: +AS THE LAW NOW STANDS THEY ARE DOING NOTHING ILLEGAL AND, SINCE KEROSENE IS A CHEAPER FUEL THAN DIESEL OIL, IT MIGHT BE SAID THAT THEY ARE DISPLAYING THAT ENTERPRISE AND INGENUITY THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH TO OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS.+

MR. JORDAN RECALLED THAT DUTY ON KEROSENE AND CERTAIN OTHER HYDROCARBON OILS WAS ABOLISHED IN 1972 ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE DUTY TENDED TO ADD TO INDUSTRIAL COSTS AND THE COST OF LIVING,

BUT DUTY CONTINUED TO BE LEVIED ON HYDROCARBON OILS USED FOR ROAD VEHICLES SINCE IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT ROAD USERS SHOULD THUS CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE COST OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED FOR THEM.

NOTING THAT THERE WERE ALSO ENVIRONMENTAL ARGUMENTS, MR. JORDAN SAID A MIXTURE OF KEROSENE AND DIESEL PRODUCED EVEN MORE UNPLEASANT EXHAUST FUMES THAN DIESEL ALONE.

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