Cook Government reveals fuel blitz pings just three servos in May for FuelWatch price disclosure

The State Government says its service-station blitz is working, with just three fines issued this month for dodgy practices — such as overcharging or not disclosing prices. The Government said that for 18 days in May — no infringements were issued, with service stations doing the right thing. This is despite hundreds of inspections by Consumer Protection officials this month — 99 just this week. But Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson is still encouraging motorists to dob in servos that break the rules. “Members of the public are some of our best detectives, so if you see a dodgy servo make sure you call FuelWatch,” she said. As first revealed in The West Australian, the Cook Government introduced tough new measures on May 1 to clamp down on service stations which did not disclose their fuel price on the website FuelWatch. As of the start of this month, it has been mandatory for all outlets to disclose their prices to FuelWatch, with a $4000 fine for every time they don’t. All service stations throughout the State are now required to notify FuelWatch of their fuel prices for the next day by 2pm — and the fuel price must stay at that notified price for 24 hours. “Our Government increased FuelWatch fines by 300 per cent and this along with an inspection blitz has led to better compliance,” Ms Sanderson said. Ms Sanderson said fuel supplies in WA had improved since the US war with Iran started on February 28, with WA averaging about one per cent of fuel stations out of one type of fuel each day. She said this was a significant improvement on the national average, which showed about 3.9 per cent or retailers were out of one type of fuel daily. Energy Minister Chris Bowen said on Saturday 50 million litres of diesel were being delivered to WA. “I’m pleased to announce this morning, two more deliveries (of fuel) have been locked in — 50 million litres of diesel,” Mr Bowen said. “That will be delivered to Kwinana, the import facility, as a buffer for Western Australia in coming weeks and months, and 50 million litres more of jet fuel. “There is concern internationally and talking to my international colleagues about jet fuel supplies, this is an extra 50 million litres of jet fuel that will be delivered to Port Botany as an extra buffer for the east coast.” Mr Bowen said Australia had 43 days’ worth of petrol available. “We have 38 days’ worth of diesel, that is up two days on last week’s update and up six days on when the Iran conflict began,” Mr Bowen said. “And that 38 days is actually the highest holding that Australia has held since the minimum stock obligation began in 2023.” Motorists hoping the 26¢ per litre fuel excise cut will remain past June 30 are likely to be disappointed. “The Prime Minister’s been dealing with this,” Mr Bowen said. “He’s made clear that, obviously, we will continue to monitor the situation, but the excise is — was a temporary measure and we envisage it being a temporary measure.”