Rogue petrol stations that dudded consumers have been named and shamed as tough new penalties come into effect.
In response to The Advertiser’s questions, the state government is expected to reveal on Friday that 22 stations have collectively been fined nearly $20,000 as part of a crackdown since the Middle East conflict erupted in February.
Of those, nearly a dozen were in the country, including five that were fined twice.
New laws gazetted on Friday state that expiation notices for breaches have increased from $550 to $5000, while the maximum court-imposed penalty has increased from $10,000 to $20,000.
Fuel pricing has become increasingly volatile on the back of the US-Iran war, with the state government also ramping up inspections on petrol stations as part of its crackdown on those failing to comply with SA’s real-time fuel monitoring scheme.
Stations issued with expiations since March
Ampol Renmark Depot, Renmark: Fuel unavailable
Bulls Garage Coober Pedy, Coober Pedy: Fuel unavailable
Bulls Garage Coober Pedy, Coober Pedy: Price discrepancy
Caltex Bordertown, Bordertown: Price discrepancy
Caltex Bordertown, Bordertown: Price discrepancy
Caltex Darlington, Darlington: Fuel unavailable
Caltex Islington, Islington: Price discrepancy
Caltex Parafield Gardens, Parafield Gardens: Fuel unavailable
Caltex Park Holme, Park Holme: Fuel unavailable
Coffin Bay Supermarket, Coffin Bay: Fuel unavailable
Karoonda Fuel Stop, Karoonda: Fuel unavailable
Karoonda Fuel Stop, Karoonda: Fuel unavailable
Klingner Bros Jamestown, Jamestown: Fuel unavailable
Klingner Bros Jamestown, Jamestown: Price discrepancy
OTR Littlehampton, Littlehampton: Fuel unavailable
OTR Newton, Newton: Fuel unavailable
OTR Salisbury Park Terrace, Salisbury: Fuel unavailable
Shell Tintinara, Tintinara: Price discrepancy
Shell Tintinara, Tintinara Price: discrepancy
Solo Edinburgh North, Edinburgh: Fuel unavailable
Solo Windsor Gardens, Windsor Gardens: Fuel unavailable
United Berri, Berri: Fuel unavailable
United Pooraka, Pooraka: Fuel unavailable
United Somerton Park, Somerton Park: Price discrepancy
United Strathalbyn, Strathalbyn: Fuel unavailable
United Tintinara, Tintinara: Fuel unavailable
X Convenience Goodwood, Goodwood: Fuel unavailable
The scheme requires fuel retailers to report their prices and availability of fuel to a central database within 30 minutes of changing the price at the pump.
Acting Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs Nadia Clancy said rising petrol prices were having a real impact on South Australians’ budgets, making transparency and accountability more important than ever.
“We moved quickly to introduce tough new penalties – almost 10 times higher than the previous penalties – for petrol stations who fail to update the real-time price monitoring apps when they run out of fuel or the price changes,” she said.
“The conflict in the Middle East is outside of the control of any Australian government, but we are making sure that petrol stations here in South Australia do the right thing by consumers.”
CBS Commissioner Brett Humphrey said significantly increasing penalties for breaches helped act as a strong deterrent and sent a clear warning that service station operators needed to abide by the law.
More than 1000 inspections have been conducted since March, resulting in nearly two dozen petrol stations slapped with nearly $20,000 in fines.
To report a service station or download a real-time price monitoring app visit: www.cbs.sa.gov.au/fuel
Extracted in full from: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/twentytwo-sa-petrol-stations-fined-for-breaching-fuel-laws-amid-government-crackdown-new-penalties/news-story/1748442a89a2644b3f789654f6aa5d97
