Fuel prices are continuing to sting the pockets of millions of Aussies, with authorities cracking down on service stations accused of price gouging amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Tougher penalties for petrol stations failing to comply with South Australia’s real-time fuel monitoring scheme came into effect on July 31.
Under the scheme, retailers must report changes in price and fuel availability to a central database within 30 minutes of changing the price at the pump.
The penalty for failing to do so jumped from $550 to $5,000, while the maximum court-imposed penalty increased from $10,000 to $20,000.
Authorities have now ramped up inspections ahead of the AFL Grand Final weekend and the school holidays, warning service stations to comply with regulations as petrol prices continue to soar.
“We are going to over 200 extra inspections during the week,” South Australian Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, Michael Brown, said.
SA drivers embrace fuel apps as prices bite
The crackdown comes as motorists increasingly turn to fuel-price apps to hunt for cheaper petrol.
South Australian motorists can use the free RAA app to compare real-time petrol prices and find the cheapest fuel nearby.
The latest RAA Fuel Report found 54 per cent of South Australian drivers use a fuel price-checking app at least some of the time, while 33 per cent said they had started using the tools more often since the Middle East conflict drove global oil prices higher.
RAA estimates shopping around can save motorists an average of 10 cents a litre, or about $6.50 per tank, with the collective saving across South Australia estimated at $55 million a year.
The RAA’s Peter Nattrass said their fuel app is a great tool for finding the cheapest fuel in South Australia.
“We would suggest to motorists to make sure to use that phone app, to buy the petrol when you see it,” he told reporters.
Extracted in full from: https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-servos-face-5000-fines-in-new-petrol-price-rule-crackdown-234549618.html
