AACS: MORE PRESSURE ON VIC GOVT TO ACT ON PETROL THEFT

MEDIA RELEASE
October 6, 2014
The Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has welcomed the support of the Australian Country Alliance party in calling on the Victorian Government and Victoria Police to stand up and address the crime of petrol theft seriously.
AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said the support received to date from the Victorian Opposition and now the Australian Country Alliance puts further pressure on the Victorian Government to finally give this serious crime the attention it deserves.
“The Government’s inaction to date has allowed petrol theft crimes to spiral out of control. Enough is enough. Petrol retailers, the majority of which are small businesses operating under license or franchise agreements, should not be forced to absorb the costs of these crimes any longer,” he said.
“We welcome the support of Labor Shadow Police Minister, Wade Noonan, and now the Australian Country Alliance in raising this important issue. Petrol theft is a crime that directly affects retailers’ bottom lines, having significant impact on the profitability of these businesses given the low petrol margins on which they operate.
“In the end, the longer these crimes remain unaddressed and unpunished, the more people will pay when they fill up. The Government needs to take action now in support of small businesses and motorists in Victoria.”
The Geelong Magistrates Court recently confirmed the criminal nature of petrol theft by granting permission to an independent retailer to pursue the details of petrol thieves through VicRoads. Handing down the ruling, the magistrate clearly stated that in his observation “a criminal act is a criminal act”.
Responding to the Government’s inaction on this score, the Australian Country Alliance said “For Minister Wells to have the nerve to suggest that petrol theft may best be treated as a civil rather than criminal offence is frankly unbelievable. To tell fuel retailers that they may need to undertake civil action to recover losses they may incur borders on the offensive.”
It then went further, saying: “The Victorian government needs to take a stance now to stop these crimes. It must recognise that stealing fuel is a crime like the theft of any other property and that they cannot continue to dodge the issue by holding to the absurd suggestion that petrol theft is a civil matter.“
AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said some AACS members in Victoria are reporting that the incidence of petrol theft has increased by over 40% in 2014 so far. However more and more retailers see no point in reporting these crimes, as they claim that they get no action from Police and in some cases the reports are not even recorded for follow up.
Petrol theft costs the industry approximately $60 million per annum nationally.
Further information:
Jeff Rogut
Chief Executive Officer
Australasian Association of Convenience Stores
Ph: 0467 873 789
Media enquiries:
Stephen Naylor
Wise McBaron Communication
Ph: (02) 9279 4770