United Rangeway fuel station fined $1000 for breaching new price-gouging laws

United Rangeway fuel station has been slapped with a $1000 infringement notice for breaching FuelWatch laws.

Fuel retailers in WA are required by law to notify FuelWatch of their prices by 2pm each day, under the new “24-Hour-Rule” to prevent price gouging.

These prices are then fixed for the next 24 hours from 6am the next day.

A United Rangeway spokesperson said the fuel station had run out of most of its reserves for both petrol and diesel on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning.

“It’s been really tough because people have been coming the past couple of days but there has been no fuel,” the spokesperson said.

“We even got a fine from FuelWatch because people started complaining about it. The website said we were the cheapest in town, but it hadn’t updated with our real price and the fact we had no stock.”

The station received a fuel delivery about 10am Thursday, with direction from the “big boss” to ration it as much as possible based on concerns of running out again.

“It’s sad, but we can’t do anything about it,” the United spokesperson said.

In a statement, WA’s Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety said a fuel outlet located in Geraldton had been fined $1000 for the discrepancy between their advertised price and the price reported to FuelWatch.

“Motorists rely on accurate prices, and retailers have no excuse for charging one amount at the bowsers while displaying or reporting something different,” commissioner for consumer protection Trish Blake said.

According to the Department, an investigation is underway with additional allegations of incorrect price selling at this site.

“When prices on the signboard, the bowser and FuelWatch don’t line up, consumers area the ones who lose out,” Mr Blake said.

Continuous breaches can result in fines of $20,000 for an individual and $100,000 for a body corporate if matters proceed to court.

The laws in WA are similar to those imposed by Victoria on Tuesday.

Servos across Victoria will have till 2pm each day to set their fuel prices for the following day.

These prices are later published on the Victorian government fuel saving assistance app Servo Saver at 4pm.

Those who fail to register or report can face a fine of more than $3000 for each breach.

These new petrol laws come in as conflict in the Middle East drastically increases oil and petrol prices.

About 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas is shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping lane on Iran’s southern border that has now been effectively closed.

As a result, fuel prices have spiked globally and concerns grow over how long it will last.

In order to assist with supply and demand, Energy Minister Chris Bowens on Thursday temporarily relaxed fuel standard to let an extra 100 million litres of petrol into the country.

“In order to assist with getting more supply, and secure downwards pressure on prices, I am temporarily amending Australia’s fuel quality standards to allow higher sulphur levels for the next 60 days,” Mr Bowen said in a statement.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury welcomed the update, telling reporters in Sydney it was a “temporary stop gap measure” to ensure that regional communities have access to diesel.