Published Thursday, 05 April, 2007 at 09:43 AM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Random fuel audits continue through April: Bligh
4 April 2007
Queensland’s fuel retailers are continuing to be the subject of random audits to ensure that the State’s 8.3 cents a litre fuel subsidy is being passed on, Treasurer Anna Bligh said today.
“Pre-Christmas, a six week period of the price differential between Brisbane and southern capitals dropping to around 4.5 cents a litre, had us set up the fuel task force,” said Ms Bligh.
“So far 50% of their 1300 planned audits have been undertaken,” she said.
The audits of sites began in late January with Brisbane and Gold Coast targeted first and they have again been revisited in recent weeks.
Other audits have been undertaken right across the State, from the Far North West and South West to the South East corner.
“As well as site visits in March formal notices were issued to all (36) large retailers under the Fuel Subsidy Act 1997
“The notices require retailers to provide detail on how their fuel prices are set and how they are ensuring subsidy is passed on.
“As well all smaller independent retailers were contacted and informed they too may be audited.
“Treasury is currently analysing and investigating audit material and the responses from the major distributors.”
Stiff penalties for retailers not passing on the subsidy - up to $15,000 or cancellation of retail fuel subsidy licence – apply.
“A principal auditor and ten experienced field investigators are conducting the audits and will continue to do so over the next two to four months.
“In mid March the average price differential with Sydney was just under 8 cents a litre (7.8 cpl). In mid February it got out to more than 11 cents (Melbourne) and 12 cents (Sydney) before coming back down in recent weeks (around 6 cents).
“Treasury regularly monitors petrol prices and while there are fluctuations from time to time long-term analysis shows Queensland motorists getting the benefit of the subsidy.”
“Last year an all-party Parliamentary Committee concluded Queensland motorists were receiving benefit from our subsidy.
“It showed that there was no firm evidence to suggest that retailers are failing to pass on subsidy, but given the pre-Christmas drop Treasury’s Office of State Revenue Task Force has undertaken the extra audits.
The Queensland Fuel Subsidy Scheme has delivered significant long term benefits to fuel consumers and no other State provides such a substantial subsidy
Deputy Premier’s Office – 3224 6900
Queensland’s fuel retailers are continuing to be the subject of random audits to ensure that the State’s 8.3 cents a litre fuel subsidy is being passed on, Treasurer Anna Bligh said today.
“Pre-Christmas, a six week period of the price differential between Brisbane and southern capitals dropping to around 4.5 cents a litre, had us set up the fuel task force,” said Ms Bligh.
“So far 50% of their 1300 planned audits have been undertaken,” she said.
The audits of sites began in late January with Brisbane and Gold Coast targeted first and they have again been revisited in recent weeks.
Other audits have been undertaken right across the State, from the Far North West and South West to the South East corner.
“As well as site visits in March formal notices were issued to all (36) large retailers under the Fuel Subsidy Act 1997
“The notices require retailers to provide detail on how their fuel prices are set and how they are ensuring subsidy is passed on.
“As well all smaller independent retailers were contacted and informed they too may be audited.
“Treasury is currently analysing and investigating audit material and the responses from the major distributors.”
Stiff penalties for retailers not passing on the subsidy - up to $15,000 or cancellation of retail fuel subsidy licence – apply.
“A principal auditor and ten experienced field investigators are conducting the audits and will continue to do so over the next two to four months.
“In mid March the average price differential with Sydney was just under 8 cents a litre (7.8 cpl). In mid February it got out to more than 11 cents (Melbourne) and 12 cents (Sydney) before coming back down in recent weeks (around 6 cents).
“Treasury regularly monitors petrol prices and while there are fluctuations from time to time long-term analysis shows Queensland motorists getting the benefit of the subsidy.”
“Last year an all-party Parliamentary Committee concluded Queensland motorists were receiving benefit from our subsidy.
“It showed that there was no firm evidence to suggest that retailers are failing to pass on subsidy, but given the pre-Christmas drop Treasury’s Office of State Revenue Task Force has undertaken the extra audits.
The Queensland Fuel Subsidy Scheme has delivered significant long term benefits to fuel consumers and no other State provides such a substantial subsidy
Deputy Premier’s Office – 3224 6900