Issue Date:  -  Wednesday, 21 December 2005

Fuel rebel fined

Sentencing was today handed down in the Perth Magistrates Court against Valence Holdings Pty Ltd trading as BP Mount Lawley. Consumer Protection commenced the prosecution of this business due to the continual and deliberate failure of the Company to adhere to fuel prices notified to FuelWatch.

The Company refused to pay eight infringement notices issued to it earlier this year and its failure to pay led to the infringement notices being withdrawn and subsequent prosecution.

The Company pleaded guilty to the eight offences last month.

The Company was fined $3,200 and ordered to pay costs of $1,140.

“We consider this a fair outcome and one which reinforces the need for every retailer to respect the law, regardless of their personal convictions,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

“Our compliance staff communicated with the Directors of the Company on several occasions in attempts to achieve their co-operation with the FuelWatch legislation and it is unfortunate that this situation had to result in prosecution,” he said.

In the Supreme Court last month Valence Holdings Pty Ltd was restrained from further flouting fuel-pricing laws. 

FuelWatch has had over four million visitors to its website since 2003 and sent almost five million consumer requested emails in 2005, indicating that it is very popular with consumers.

FuelWatch allows consumers to check prices before they buy and to be assured that they know the price for that day will be stable.