New national petrol commissioner Pat Walker starts work today and believes he can shave cents off the petrol price if the federal government agrees to a national FuelWatch scheme.

 

The plan was backed by NSW Fair Trading Minister Linda Burney, who said it would "shine a light on petrol companies" and South Australian Transport Minister Patrick Conlon.

 

But Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said her state had no plan to join a national scheme.

 

Last November, the Queensland government promised to improve its flawed fuel subsidy scheme after an inquiry found Queensland motorists were being short-changed by $100 million a year.

 

"Our total response to the management of petrol and trying to work harder to get fairer pricing will be made public as soon as Cabinet has had an opportunity to consider it," Ms Bligh said yesterday.