John Rolfe
November 07, 2013
News Limited Network
AS part of Canberra’s war on shopper dockets, petrol stations across Australia face a ban on only displaying the discounted price of fuel.
At a meeting of federal, state and territory consumer affairs ministers on Thursday it was agreed that a “national information standard” would be developed and that they would vote on it, most likely before April next year.
The ministers – and motoring groups – believe there is confusion about fuel price boards. Their key concern is advertising of discount prices linked to supermarket shopper dockets.
Under the information standard, only full prices could be displayed, although the size of any discount could be promoted.
“It is a positive step in terms of supporting competition in the fuel retailing market,” said federal Small Business Minister Bruce Billson, who also has responsibility for consumer affairs and competition matters in the Abbott government.
Australian Automobile Association CEO Andrew McKellar said: “There is a concern that consumers are being misled in many circumstances.”
At the moment only NSW and South Australia ban the display of discounted prices. NSW imposed restrictions from September. SA’s ban started last month.
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