Issue Date:  -  Monday, 22 April 2002

More spot prices on government's Fuel watch website.

Fuel retailers will win from the inclusion of additional spot prices on the FuelWatch website, Consumer Protection Commissioner Pat Walker, said today.

“From today, the spot wholesale prices for premium unleaded petrol (PULP), lead replacement petrol (LRP) and diesel will be included on the FuelWatch website,” Mr Walker said.

“The publication of these spot prices will help increase transparency in wholesale pricing and assist fuel retailers in purchasing motor fuel,” he said.

“All spot prices notified by suppliers since August 2001 will be included on the FuelWatch website to allow retailers to see how these prices have changed over time. It will also allow other retailers to see how competitive spot prices can be,” Mr. Walker said.

Previously, fuel retailers would have needed to visit oil company terminals to view these prices. Now, the spot prices for PULP, LRP, ULP and diesel are all available at the click of a button.

“Under the Petroleum Products Pricing Act 1983, suppliers at terminals must supply fuel retailers at the spot price if they are eligible spot purchasers,” Mr Walker said.

“Spot purchasers are those fuel retailers who are resellers; aren’t covered by an exclusive supply agreement that prevents them from accessing fuel from another source; pay for the fuel in accordance with terminal conditions and take delivery of the fuel from the terminal.”

Mr Walker said that supply could only be refused to fuel retailers if there was a good reason provided in writing. If supply is refused, retailers can apply to the Prices Commissioner for compensation.

The spot price for regular unleaded petrol (ULP) has been available on the FuelWatch website since August 2001.

The address for the FuelWatch website is www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au <http://www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au>. FuelWatch provides accurate fuel pricing information for WA delivered by the Department of Employment and Consumer Protection.