• Ten infringement notices of $1,000 and one for $4,000 issued to fuel outlets
• Discrepancies found in price reported to FuelWatch or on signboard
• Fuel retailers warned to report and display prices that match bowser price

Infringement notices amounting to $14,000 have been issued by Consumer Protection to 11 fuel outlets in WA since 1 January 2020 over breaches of FuelWatch laws.

Most of the breaches involved discrepancies between the prices charged to motorists at the bowser and the prices reported to FuelWatch or the prices displayed on the signboard at the front of the fuel station.

The on the spot fines were issued to outlets in the Perth metropolitan area as well as in the regional areas of Albany, Karratha, Derby, Ravensthorpe and Coolgardie for breaching the Petroleum Products Pricing Act.

Also during that period, Consumer Protection received 73 complaints from motorists in relation to fuel pricing issues.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Lanie Chopping said it’s imperative that fuel retailers stick to the FuelWatch rules at all times.

“Prices that the outlets report to FuelWatch must match those being charged at the bowser and the daily change must happen at 6am, not a few hours earlier or later,” Ms Chopping said.

“Signboards must also be accurate so as to not mislead motorists who may find a different price when filling up at the bowser.

“Apart from regular random checks that are carried out by Consumer Protection, we also get reports from motorists who have noticed the price on the FuelWatch website or on the signboard are not the same as the prices being charged at the bowser.

“We encourage consumers to report these discrepancies and provide us with receipts as well as photos of the bowser price and signboard if relevant. This will help us gather evidence to support issuing an infringement notice.”

Fuel price information is available on the mobile compatible www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au site and, after 2.30pm each day, motorists can compare today’s and tomorrow’s prices. Consumers can subscribe to daily email alerts or, alternatively, phone 1300 30 40 54.

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Media Contact: Alan Hynd, (08) 6552 9248 / 0429 078 791 / alan.hynd@demirs.wa.gov.au