newy.com.au – A Newcastle service station (Not the one pictured) has been issued multiple fines during a NSW Fair Trading inspection as a statewide fuel price transparency crackdown finds regional areas are accounting for most penalties.
NSW Fair Trading has conducted more than 4600 field inspections and re-inspections under the FuelCheck program, issuing more than 270 fines. About 80 per cent of those penalties were for price mismatches between the amount displayed at the pump and the price listed on FuelCheck.
While about half of all inspections have taken place outside Sydney, about 70 per cent of all fines have been issued in regional NSW.
Newcastle was named among several locations where single service stations received multiple fines in one inspection, along with Cooma, Lismore, Kelso, Goulburn and Port Kembla. A fuel retailer in the Murray region was also fined over a 24-cent diesel price mismatch.
The results show wide differences in compliance across the state. The Central Coast recorded the best result for fuel price transparency, with only one fine issued for price mismatching through the Bowser Buster campaign. The Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven regions followed with three fines since March.
At the other end of the scale, the Southern Tablelands and South Coast recorded the highest number of fines, with 33 penalties issued, predominantly for mismatches between pump prices and FuelCheck. The Riverina recorded 30 penalties and the Central West recorded 21.
NSW Fair Trading says service stations displaying “red flag” behaviour, including previous fines or multiple consumer complaints, will continue to be targeted for re-inspections. Inspectors are also moving into more remote parts of NSW in coming weeks.
Motorists are being urged to keep checking prices and report suspected mismatches through FuelCheck. NSW Fair Trading says public reports through Bowser Busters have resulted in almost 100 fines for price mismatches.
Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said the inspection program was aimed at deterring inaccurate pricing.
“We know that fair pricing starts with fair behaviour at the bowser,” he said.
“The sheer number and value of fines issued shows the Minns Labor Government will not back down.
“We’re pushing this into the farthest corners of the state. Our proposed laws, coupled with our inspection program, are all about deterring service stations from taking motorists for a ride.”
Legislation introduced by the Minns government passed the Legislative Assembly this week and is set to make it illegal for service stations to fail to notify FuelCheck of a standard fuel price or fuel being unavailable at the bowser. The proposed laws would also increase fines for individuals from $22,000 to $55,000, while on-the-spot fines for service stations would be tripled to $3300 for a first offence and $11,000 for a second offence within 12 months.
NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said inspectors had been checking petrol stations across the state.
“FuelCheck is a crucial tool that puts power back in the hands of motorists,” she said.
“When families pull up for fuel, they deserve clear and accurate information. This is about strengthening fuel price transparency and ensuring FuelCheck works for everyone.”
