State Government flags proposal that would give motorists access to real-time petrol price data
A rogue push from a Liberal MP has triggered an announcement from the state’s Attorney-General that motorists will finally get access to online petrol prices.
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Motorists will soon have access to government-guaranteed real-time fuel price information on the internet.
Attorney-General Vickie Chapman announced the initiative on radio today in response to pressure from federal Liberal colleague Tony Pasin, MP for Barker.
“We have a recommendation and we are getting on with it and I’m very pleased Tony Pasin has come into the fold,’’ Ms Chapman said.
Mr Pasin on Wednesday said the State Government should make good on a 2018 election promise to provide information which has proven in other states to lower the price of fuel due to competition.
Country unleaded petrol prices are up to 50c a litre higher than those in Adelaide, which he said was putting pressure on his constituents.
Petrol prices in Adelaide have been below $1 a litre for weeks.
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Plans to implement the Liberal election promise had become bogged down with a Productivity Commission inquiry, but Ms Chapman told radio FIVEaa she would soon bring a plan before Parliament.
The scheme has been heavily backed by the RAA, which wants the information provided by government, rather than private apps.
Private providers would then use the government information to allow exact price matching by motorists seeking the lowest price in their area.
RAA spokesman Mark Borlace welcomed Mr Chapman’s comments yesterday and said we should follow the model used in Queensland.
He said there, “retailers must upload any price change to a government portal 30 minutes before it takes place”.
Mr Borlace said the organisation wanted the scheme introduced before fuel retail companies had a chance to raise prices after COVID-19 travel restrictions were lifted.